Shopping secret: Goodwill Central Coast supplements secondhand items with new, name-brand treasures

  While Goodwill Central Coast appreciates all donations that support its quest to create jobs in the community, certain unmentionables never make it to the secondhand racks. 

Salinas, CA, April 25, 2021 - While Goodwill Central Coast appreciates all donations that support its quest to create jobs in the community, certain unmentionables never make it to the secondhand racks. 

That’s why the nonprofit leverages its considerable buying power to stock shelves with new goods straight from mainstream stores and manufacturers. 

Those on the hunt for underwear, socks, belts, sheets, toothbrushes, shoelaces, and a variety of household items, will find name brands at a fraction of prices seen at other retailers. 

“There are some items that just don’t make sense secondhand, so what we do is supplement our stock of donated items with new items, we classify them as “New Goods” said Alan Martinson, vice president of retail for Goodwill Central Coast, which serves Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties. “We do our best to keep prices low and affordable.” 

Martinson said the combination of all the donated treasures and new packaged products in Goodwill stores really creates a sense of excitement. 

“For many people, finding a pack of socks for $5.99 or a new belt for $6.49 is a great deal,” he said. “Every day a truck arrives at each store with hundreds of the latest donated and new items, and it takes away all the items that haven’t sold. There’s something different every day, and the bargains are extraordinary.” 

“For Back to Class, parents find this particularly exciting,” said Martinson. “These are items that add up fast when paying full price. You can reduce the amount you spend by combining donated and new items while shopping.  With brand names such as Gold Medal, Gold Toe, Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, Anne Klein, Juicy Couture, Dockers, Esprit, Danskin, Cherokee and more, Goodwill Central Coast provides a well-rounded shopping experience — for less. 

“There’s no reason you can’t dress someone, head to toe, for $30 or $40,” he said. 

Once you’ve found the perfect wardrobe, customers love sifting through the front-of-the-store racks to score new $5 sunglasses, $5 packs of batteries, pet treats, leashes, first-aid kits and much more. 

Now offering expanded hours (9 a.m.-7 p.m.), Goodwill Central Coast stores create the all-day joy of the hunt for both used and new items.

 With an inventory that’s updated daily, the retail stores are a treasure trove for thrifty bargain hunters. Best of all, by shopping at Goodwill, customers support job training and employment programs that help friends and neighbors find jobs and pathways to independence. 

About Goodwill Central Coast

Goodwill Central Coast, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, began in 1928 in the city of Santa Cruz and today has expanded into three counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo. Goodwill Central Coast now employs more than 600 people, including employment training professionals, sales personnel, donation center attendants, warehouse and distribution workers, and administrators. Its programs strengthen communities by improving job growth, the lives of individuals and families, and the health of our environment. Each year Goodwill assists more than 9,000 job seekers get back to work and reclaim financial and personal independence. Goodwill provides a positive learning environment that creates brighter futures through connecting people to meaningful work. 

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
The Buzz PR LLC
Salinas, CA
(831) 747-7455
https://www.ccgoodwill.org/