Whether you enjoy shopping at the secondhand store, or you make use of the donation center, non-profit group Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley Inc. is a common destination for Turlock residents. With the Goodwill location at Golden State Boulevard growing increasingly busy, however, the industry has opened a second store and donation center in the City of Turlock, located at 3000 N. Tegner Road, adjacent to Cool Hand Luke’s Restaurant.
The newly opened store offered a vast array of grand-opening giveaways and prizes to customers last week, including $100 gift cards for gasoline, Safeway and Costco cards, LCD TV’s, 3 month gym memberships, and much more. Although the new store had a Soft Opening around the 1st of November, the grand opening proved to bring in tons of new customers.
Turlock resident Carly Beard, who recently graduated from California State University, Stanislaus, shared why she believes Goodwill is a great asset to the Turlock community.
“I shop at Goodwill because I work very hard for every penny that I earn and if I can find name brand clothing at a fraction of the cost it allows me to get more for my money,” she stated. “ I also like knowing that I can find clothing that is unique. I think that Goodwill is great for Turlock because it not only employs those who have problems finding employment elsewhere, but the proceeds go towards career services for people with certain disadvantages such as the homeless and those that are welfare dependent.”
Proceeds generated at Goodwill stores go towards supplying work-force development services, including job training and placement programs. In 2011, Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley alone provided services to approximately 3,800 people with barriers to employment. Goodwill Industries International served more than 4.2 million people across the globe in 2011, and placed more than 189,000 people in jobs with the non-profit group. The group strives to “enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.”
Sally Wooden, Public Relations and Development Director for Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley Inc., stated that the non-profit saw the new location as a great opportunity to make use of a beautiful building. The building, which was built in 2007, is 14,300 square feet, and was previously occupied for a short period of 18 months by S&G Carpet.
Wooden also shared that the new Goodwill location would be accepting old electronics for free everyday, as part of an effort to manage E-Waste Recycling.
The new Turlock location is still accepting applications for employment. The store is open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 7pm on Sundays. Donations are accepted at the location until 6pm every day of the week.
For more information, visit www.goodwill-sjv.org.
