Frequently Asked Questions

As a leading nonprofit social enterprise, Goodwill provides employment services such as job training, placement, retention and other community-based services to the most fragile populations across twenty counties throughout South Texas.

Goodwill’s mission is to create life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

Goodwill serves the most fragile populations in our communities including people with disabilities, ex-offenders, and those who are chronically unemployed by connecting them to jobs.

The mission is accomplished by putting people to work in the community or within Goodwill.

Goodwill’s service area covers twenty counties throughout South Texas.  Goodwill currently operates 20 stores with donation stations, an online store,  a clearance store, four stand alone donation stations, five job connections centers, and two distribution centers.  

At this time, Goodwill South Texas does not offer pick up service.  We ask that donors drop off their donations at their nearest Goodwill South Texas location.

Goodwill was founded in 1902 in Boston by Reverend 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 poor to mend and repair the used goods.  The goods were then resold.  The system worked and the Goodwill philosophy of giving a “hand up, not a hand out” was born. 

Forty-six years later, seven men from the downtown Lions Club saw a need for Goodwill in South Texas and chartered what would be Goodwill Industries of South Texas in 1948.  

Everything performed at Goodwill is designed to fulfill the mission.  Goodwill believes in the power of work and having a job is a cornerstone in a person’s life.  Goodwill’s employment programs promote independence and dignity for people to provide for themselves and their families.  As a result, quality of life increases.

Goodwill’s business model is designed to be sustainable by creating revenue generating business lines that not only create jobs for people served, but also contribute to the bottom line.  Today, Goodwill’s business model is organized around three major divisions which are:

Mission Services: focuses on providing the training and support people need to gain and maintain employment.

Donated Goods: supports mission services through the sale of donated clothes and household items at Goodwill stores throughout South Texas and online through shopgoodwill.com (the first nonprofit internet auction site).

Commercial Services: creates employment opportunities for people by contracting with local businesses or government to provide services such as document destruction, mailroom management, pallet manufacturing, temporary services (known as Goodwill Staffing Services or GSS) and custodial and groundskeeping.

To find your nearest location please visit here.

Goodwill of South Texas gladly accepts donations of cash, stock, and real estate. For more information, click here or contact our corporate office at 361-400-3081

Yes, Goodwill will gladly accept any vehicle, in any condition. We also accept boats, RVs, motorcycles and more. Learn more here

We create life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities or barriers to employment. We offer veteran services, virtual learning services, community service, and income tax assistance. For more information click here

The inventory in any Goodwill of South Texas retail store is fully dependent upon the goods that are donated. Those items can change daily.

To create life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities or other barriers to employment. Our vision is to ensure all people, particularly those who are the most vulnerable in our communities, achieve their fullest potential through the power of work.

Empowerment, Public Trust, Respect, Innovation, Quality, and Safety

Yes, Goodwill is a 501c3 charitable organization.

We have 21 local stores, 23 donation drop-off sites, and we have served over 25,000 South Texans over the past 5 years.

No, Goodwill does not repair items. Before items are placed on the sales floor we assess the quality of donations checking for damaged merchandise and other flaws. We do not sell items that are broken, torn, or soiled. 

Currently, 150 community-based Goodwill organizations exist in the U.S. and Canada, with 14 Goodwill affiliated organizations in other countries around the world. Each Goodwill organization is independent and operates its own unique set of programs.

Yes, through Dell Reconnect.  Dell Reconnect is a residential computer recycling program that offers you an easy, convenient, and responsible way to recycle your used computer equipment.  Drop off your working or non-working computers and computer accessories at any Goodwill South Texas donation station. It’s free and you’ll get a receipt for tax purposes. What’s more, you’ll be helping protect the environment and benefiting your community at the same time.

Yes, Goodwill offers community service at select locations.  Learn more here. https://goodwillsouthtexas.com/community-service/ 

Yes, Goodwill provides document destruction services.  Please contact Rose Mireles, Senior Director of Business Services, at 361-884-4068 ext. 20350 for more information.

Please contact Marjorie Boudreaux at 361-400-3081 to learn about sponsorship opportunities at Goodwill.