Goodwill NM Saves $13k+, Gets Eco Award

Did you know that Goodwill's used clothing sales generates about 70 percent of the nonprofit's funding? That money is used to help in-need people find shelter, employment and transportation support. In its latest effort to maximize those profits and minimize operation costs, Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan teamed up with Traverse City's Keen Technical Solutions to retrofit its facilities, including its largest retail store with high-performance fluorescent fixtures and two Apollo Solar Light Pipes. Based on current electricity rates, the project is expected to save Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan $13,576 a year in energy costs. In terms of Goodwill gains, those savings mean Goodwill can rescue and distribute to food pantries 67,880 pounds of perishable food, provide 1,357 hours of employment training, or 424 nights of emergency shelter, basic necessities and support to men, women and children experiencing homelessness. Today, Orion Energy Systems Inc. will help the organization celebrate; it's presenting its Environmental Stewardship Award to Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan.