We’re ‘Rounding Up’ To Support Our Neighbors Impacted by COVID-19

We’re ‘Rounding Up’ To Support Our Neighbors Impacted by COVID-19

Now through Dec. 31, Goodwill Omaha shoppers can donate their change to help others in the community who are experiencing hardship due to COVID-19. That’s right — it’s our annual “Round It Up for United Way” campaign, which is raising awareness and money to support United Way of the Midlands (UWM) and the Fremont Area United Way in their efforts to help people in Omaha and surrounding communities.

Your spare change can change lives. Donate when you check out at any of our stores through Dec. 31.

The campaign kicked off on Nov. 1 and allows shoppers at Goodwill retail stores to choose to “round up” their purchase totals to the next dollar at the checkout. We’ll donate round-it-up raised at our stores in Fremont and Blair to the Fremont Area United Way, and we’re donating money raised at our other locations to United Way of the Midlands.

“This year has been tough for most people, but it’s been especially difficult for those who have been impacted by COVID-19,” said Tobi Mathouser, president and CEO of Goodwill Omaha. “So many people lost jobs, either permanently or temporarily, in March, when many businesses had to close due to COVID. Several months later, some people who were furloughed or expected their layoffs to be temporary learned their positions were eliminated because employers experienced financial and economic losses due to COVID.”

UWM reports that, since March, the Nebraska/Iowa 211 Helpline has experienced a 142% increase in call volumes over last year, despite the high volumes the Helpline saw during the floods in spring 2019. As you likely know, COVID-19 has created an entirely new set of challenges, which United Way organizations are trying to keep up with.

For example, UWM modified its community investment process to quickly move dollars to programs that meet the community’s most pressing needs and to better respond to the community’s rapidly evolving needs.

“Goodwill holds campaigns like this throughout the year to benefit other nonprofits in our communities. It’s a way we can give back to the communities and partners who show so much support for Goodwill and our employment programs,” Mathouser continued. “Our shoppers tend to be very generous, and our round-it-up campaigns can raise a surprising amount of money. We love doing it. To us, giving back is just part of what it means to be a good steward of the community.”