Goodwill “Give Back” Raises $20,000 Connecticut Restaurant Relief

Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut today announced that “The Goodwill Give Back,” an initiative to support employment recovery in the restaurant industry, raised $20,000 to benefit the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund. A check was presented to the Connecticut Restaurant Association, which operates the fund, at Goodwill’s Avon retail store and donation center earlier today.

“Our team is constantly evaluating new opportunities to strengthen the communities we support and further the impact of our mission,” Jeff Wieser, President & CEO, Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut said. “We are proud to donate $20,000 to the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund and help four deserving restaurants receive $5,000 each to take positive steps toward economic recovery.”

For every 5,000 donation instances at Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut’s retail stores and donation centers this April, $1,000 was donated to the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund. There were just shy of 100,000 donation instances during the month, resulting in a $20,000 donation.

“We could not have done this without the generous community members who donated goods to us during the month of April,” Wieser noted. “Employment recovery in Connecticut is going to be a slow process post-pandemic, but having the continued support of our communities in helping put our neighbors back to work will make all the difference.”

Since launching, The Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund has raised $730,000 to provide immediate financial relief to Connecticut’s restaurant industry with funds designed to save these businesses and protect their workforce.

“The $20,000 donation from Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut will play an important role in helping four locally owned restaurants to keep their doors open and workers employed,” Scott Dolch, Executive Director, Connecticut Restaurant Association, said. “We are grateful to the Goodwill team for their partnership and understanding the importance of helping Connecticut’s restaurant industry recover from the impact of the pandemic.”

ABOUT GOODWILL OF WESTERN AND NORTHERN CONNECTICUT

Goodwill is a non-profit organization that helps individuals, businesses, and communities come together to support people with disabilities, economic disadvantages, and other barriers to employment. Last year, Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut (GWNC) helped 895 Connecticut residents find work. Donations of goods and revenue generated from store sales power this mission, with more than 90% reinvested into the programs and services strengthening Connecticut families. GWNC is headquartered in Bridgeport, Conn., and has store, donation, and career center locations around the state. To learn more, visit: www.gwct.org.