Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (GIUMSC) is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Eastside High School: the launch of The Giving Locker. This innovative on-campus donation initiative is designed to spark a spirit of philanthropy in the next generation while providing students with a direct bridge to Goodwill’s life-changing career development resources.

Located conveniently inside Eastside High School, the newly installed donation bin serves as a year-round hub for students, families, and staff to donate gently used clothing and small household items. This partnership transforms the simple act of cleaning out a closet into a powerful engine for community growth. Items collected through The Giving Locker will be sold in local Goodwill retail stores, with 90 cents of every dollar earned going directly back into funding free job training, career education, and employment services for residents across the Upstate.

“When students take the lead in giving back, it builds habits of service and awareness that last far beyond high school,” said William Coates, Donated Goods Acquisition Manager for Goodwill. “Every donation fuels our mission and helps open doors for individuals seeking career pathways and new opportunities. We are energized by the passion the Eastside Eagles are bringing to this project!”

Beyond the donation bin, this collaboration is about preparation and possibility. The partnership highlights Goodwill’s Career and Work Development services, which offer students pathways to professional certifications, job readiness training, and hands-on learning experiences. By engaging with Goodwill now, Eastside students gain an early advantage in navigating their future career journeys.

“At Eastside High School, we are committed to helping students understand the importance of compassion, generosity, and service to others,” said Todd Stafford, Principal of Eastside High School. “Through our partnership with Goodwill, this vision is realized. With the Goodwill donation bin placed in our commons area, our students and families are provided with a simple and meaningful way to give back to the community. We are grateful for this collaboration and excited to make service and generosity a visible and lasting part of the Eastside experience.”

In addition to its social and educational impact, The Giving Locker reinforces a shared commitment

to environmental stewardship. By participating in the circular economy, Eastside High School is

helping Goodwill divert millions of pounds of usable goods from local landfills, proving that being

"green" and being "community-minded" go hand-in-hand.