Goodwill's elimination of its weekly discounted shopping days for veterans and the elderly has disadvantaged those in our community with limited means to purchase clothing (for work, for job interviews, for enduring the weather).  Given that a large percentage of veterans are without both housing and jobs, where and how will they make the purchases to satisfy their basic needs?

Goodwill’s new “rewards policy" is not designed to benefit veterans, the elderly, or the disabled.  And since the extra $90 per month that families on food stamps were allotted during the pandemic are about to be terminated, and inflation is severely impacting the cost of consumer goods, Goodwill's change in policy will be particularly hard hitting.

Additionally, to justify paying some workers as little as 22 cents an hour, Goodwill has utilized a 1938 law.  Section 14 ( C ) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers to obtain special minimum wage certificates from the Department of Labor, which gives employers the right to pay disabled workers according to their abilities, with no bottom limit to the wage.  
 
In addition to eliminating its veteran and elderly discount, Goodwill has recently raised prices on garments.  For example, a woman’s shirt that sold for $3.99 is now selling for $4.99, an almost 25% increase at a time when inflation is under 8%, and unlike retail stores, Goodwill’s donated goods, obtained for free, are not impacted by supply-side issues and the fluctuation of the market.
 
Therefore, we, Goodwill donors and shoppers, appeal to Goodwill to: 
 
·       restore its discount days for veterans and the elderly
·       pay all its employees at least minimum wage
·       keep prices steady so as to enable low income families, the elderly, and veterans the opportunity to survive with dignity.