Danvers To Get A Goodwill Soon

DANVERS, MA — If you've been eyeing the space in Danvers Plaza next to the Home Goods store you may have noticed: Danvers is getting a Goodwill Store and Donation Center.

Opening day is Wednesday, March 21 and at 9 a.m. it becomes official with a grand opening.

The store is slated to employ between 20 and 24 people and they actually still have a few openings.

"Danvers is a great location for us! We can provide clothing and household items at an affordable price for families and individuals looking to stretch their dollar or for shoppers who just love to shop for great bargains and Goodwill finds," said James Harder of the Goodwill.

There's also a drive-up donation center where people from the community can drop off clothing and household items they are no longer using.

Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by Rev. Edgar J. Helms, a Methodist minister and early social innovator. Helms collected used household goods and clothing in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired those who were poor to mend and repair the used goods.

The items were then resold or were given to the people who repaired them. The system worked, and the folks at Goodwill called their philosophy “Not Charity, but a Chance.”

Goodwill expanded to become the $5.59 billion nonprofit organization it is today.

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Photo courtesy Goodwill.