Monday’s front page celebrated Matthew Knee’s work to get free clothing to people in need. I applaud his work and am glad it got the news coverage it deserves. Unfortunately, the Concord Monitor repeated a decade-long, damaging, and untrue rumor in the same article, insinuating that donations to Goodwill line a CEO’s pockets. That is far from the truth.
When people donate or shop at Goodwill Northern New England, that money goes directly back into our community through important workforce programs. These programs are in the highest demand ever, as so many New Englanders seek work due to the pandemic. Goodwill staff are retraining people and placing them in great careers in local businesses during this time of high need, and that work is only possible through donations and shoppers at the stores who fund those programs.
Additionally, Goodwill is staffing AmeriCorps members in and around Concord and Manchester to specifically address the COVID-19 crisis and help at-risk populations get the food and essential support they need right now.
People often need a variety of supports to achieve personal stability. That’s our mission – we provide work-readiness training, career placements, and more to get people back on their feet. We are more than a store.
The cruel reality is that this rumor tends to pop up during the giving season. I hope this letter helps people understand what Goodwill does in New Hampshire. The 501c3 nonprofit is run by an all-volunteer board of directors, on which I’m proud to serve.
KELLI D’AMORE
Deerfield
(The writer is the chair of Goodwill Northern New England’s board of directors.)