Goodwill issues appeal for more donations

Goodwill Industries of Northeast Iowa says donations have dropped to an all-time low.  The business is appealing to Decorah area residents to look in their closets and attics and bring in unwanted items.

Goodwill Industries of NE Iowa Community Liason Wendy Knapp tells decorahnews.com Goodwill normally sees a decrease in donations during summer and especially during winter, but this summer has been unusual.

The sluggish economy is contributing to the decrease in donations to Goodwill.  Knapp says people seem to be holding onto items longer.  She also notes that sales of new clothing have declined during the recession.

Knapp points out that money raised from the sale of clothing, furniture, books and other items at stores such as the one in Decorah is used to pay for training programs for Goodwill clients.  "It is important that we get our warehouses full," says Knapp.