Pittsburgh, Pa. (Nov. 1, 2016) – South Hills Interfaith Movement has reshaped its winter coat program to ensure more children and adults are warm throughout the winter season. The organization is proud to announce a pilot partnership with the Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania to better serve more South Hills families in need.
“Each year, our generous community donates coats and winter apparel to keep our families warm during the cold winter months,” said Jim Guffey, executive director, SHIM. “With the growing number of people we serve, last year we were unable to meet the needs of all of our families. Through this partnership, every SHIM family in need of coats will have them.”
Because kids grow so quickly, SHIM did not have the right sizes to meet every child’s need last winter. In the past year, 100 more South Hills families have come to SHIM for help. Six hundred SHIM kids are in need of coats this winter.
Goodwill SWPA has 26 donated goods retail stores in southwestern Pennsylvania, including six in the South Hills area. This partnership will allow SHIM families to shop at a convenient time, store location, and for the winter apparel they need most. At the same time, SHIM’s Community Closet will remain open during its regular hours and continue to provide much-needed clothing support for SHIM families.
Through the pilot program, community members will donate coats and winter apparel to SHIM, which SHIM will pack up and send to Goodwill. Based on SHIM’s donations to Goodwill, the organization will provide SHIM with credit, which will turn into Goodwill gift cards for SHIM families in need.
This year, every family registered for the food pantry will receive a gift card to shop at any Goodwill store in the area, allowing them to purchase the coats, hats, boots and/or gloves of their choice in the best size and fit.
“We are committed to working alongside our community members and excited to have the opportunity to partner with SHIM,” said Robert Stape, Chief Operating Officer, Goodwill SWPA.
“When SHIM approached us about this idea, we were eager to get started. We are happy to provide SHIM families with a convenient place to shop for their winter needs and hope to ensure every child who needs a coat, boots or more, has those items in the appropriate size.”
SHIM is collecting winter coats, boots and accessories now. Donations can be dropped off now thru the end of December at SHIM Center in Bethel Park Monday – Wednesday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Thursday and Friday by appointment.
South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) is a human services organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in need across the South Hills. This includes working to reduce the devastating effects of suburban poverty among the working poor, unemployed, families, single parents, senior citizens, women, and the high concentration of refugee families in its service area. SHIM works to identify the most critical needs across the South Hills, then develops and implements effective solutions. SHIM aims to empower individuals and families to achieve stability and self-sufficiency by offering short-term help with basic needs (food, clothing, utilities) and longer-term support (employment, financial planning, youth programs, family support) to help people build and sustain promising futures.
Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is a diversified human service agency that is supported, in part, by its network of retail stores and other nonprofit businesses. It serves all of southwestern Pennsylvania and manages several affiliate units and special-purpose entities, including Goodwill of Fayette County; Goodwill of North Central West Virginia; Goodwill Commercial Services, Inc.; and Goodwill Housing. Goodwill SWPA operates 31 retail stores and several other businesses to help fund programs and to provide job training and related services to help clients overcome various barriers to employment. It has over 1,200 employees and in 2015 placed 724 individuals in unsubsidized employment creating nearly $2 million in economic impact for Pennsylvania. www.goodwillswpa.org
For more information, please contact:
Abby Mathieu
abby@blenderadv.com
412-709-6149 (Office)
304-281-8097 (Mobile)