Goodwill stores in Pa. open no-contact donation centers

Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is accepting donations again after closing its 27 stores in the state a month ago amid nonessential business shutdowns because of the coronavirus pandemic.

No-contact, self-service donation areas at each of the organization’s store locations in Pennsylvania opened this week to accept donations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donors who have packaged their items in bags or boxes can put them in marked bins or areas, according to a message posted on the organization’s website.

The move comes three weeks after Goodwill, in a message on their website, urged donors to keep their items until stores reopen. Items being left outside closed stores were being damaged and ruined in the weather, the message said.

Pennsylvania Goodwill stores closed on March 16 after Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a shutdown of nonessential businesses to aid in reducing the spread of the coronavirus.

Goodwill employees at the no-contact areas are wearing protective gear when handling donations and surfaces are being sanitized, according to the message. Donors are being asked to practice social distancing by staying 6 feet away from others. Large furniture items are not being accepted.

Donations aren’t being handled for at least 72 hours, according to the message. Donors can get an electronic receipt by scanning a QR code at the donation site or by going to goodwillswpa.org/receipt.