Goodwill Retail Stores Close in Response to COVID-19 Crisis

CANTON, OH – March 20, 2020 – Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc. (“Goodwill”) is taking every step necessary to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and protect employees, participants, community partners and customers. Goodwill will be closing its retail stores at end of business today, March 20, 2020.

This is a temporary closure through April 4, 2020. Goodwill will reevaluate the situation before that date.

Eligible employees will be provided one week of paid leave and insurance coverage over the next two months. All affected employees have been encouraged to apply for unemployment.

“This is a heartbreaking decision that we are making that will affect the lives of more than 700 Goodwill employees and their families,” commented President and CEO Anne Richards. “It is a difficult decision, but it is the right decision. Businesses and agencies like ours are not closing because we have lost, we are closing so we can win the fight against the virus.”

Goodwill will keep some donation doors or attended donation centers open at this time. Also, select mission programming will continue, whenever possible.

“COMPASS, our rape crisis center will remain open along with The Ken Weber Community Campus at Goodwill,” added Richards. “Our work to serve the emergency needs of community must continue during this crisis.”

Stores represent the lifeblood and primary source of revenue to fund mission outreach at Goodwill. During this time, material donations will continue to be accepted at select locations and financial donations can be made at www.goodwillgoodskills.org/donate/financial.

Updates on retail stores will be provided via www.GoodwillGoodSkills.org or through Goodwill’s social media sites.