In a move to boost the area’s recovery from Superstorm Sandy, Goodwill Industries of Greater NY and Northern NJ has opened a 50,000 s/f warehouse and distribution center in donated space at Industry City, the 40-acre industrial center of Bush Terminal along Brooklyn’s Sunset Park waterfront.
The City of New York, through the Economic Development Corporation and the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities, arranged the donation of the space as part of a broad initiative to combine city resources with those of the private sector and not-for-profit organizations to maximize recovery from the devastating storm.
Goodwill will hire people with disabilities, including some impacted by the storm, to operate the facility.
“At Industry City we are committed to positively contributing to the community. So many people in the area were seriously impacted by Hurricane Sandy and knowing that Goodwill could make such a difference, we knew we had to make this happen,” said Julius Chabbot, director of leasing for Industry City.
“By working in close cooperation with the EDC and City Hall, we were able to quickly move forward on getting the space ready. Goodwill has already started to set-up and will be able to continue its superior service to the community.”
Within days of the initial contact between the EDC and Industry City, Goodwill has already begun moving in to the 50,000 s/f of space being made available to it in Building Number 26, located on First Avenue, for six months.
The space is accessible with a private elevator and Industry City will provide Goodwill access to the building past standard business hours to ensure its operations can continue as smoothly as possible to provide assistance to those in need.
“In the four-week aftermath, Goodwill stores provided over $85,000 in merchandise to 1,700 individuals and families affected by hurricane Sandy, not including the mattresses, blankets, personal care packets and other goods distributed in-bulk by request to shelters and other organizations,ˮ said William J. Forrester, Goodwill president and CEO.
“The space donated by Industry City will help us tremendously in continuing to provide donated goods to those hardest hit in Staten Island, the Rockaways and Long Beach.”
Storm victims who need help may go to any Goodwill store and present documentation from FEMA, Red Cross or their insurance company to shop for $50 worth of free clothing and household goods.
Volunteers are needed to assist with sorting. Email Jose Medellin at jmedellin@goodwillnynj.org. For making corporate donations, email Martha Gotwals at mgotwals@goodwillnynj.org.
