Giving Back is Always in Style During Bon-Ton Stores Goodwill® Sale Event

Help us collect 2.5 million pounds of merchandise donations

Fall Trend - Blouse Party

Bon-Ton will randomly reward one lucky donor in every store with a $100 gift card

MILWAUKEE, Sept. 06, 2016 -- The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:BONT), which operates Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers stores, kicks off the largest, longest-running Goodwill® donation drive on Wednesday, September 14.  In its 22nd year, the program remains a signature community event and customer favorite.  Savvy shoppers know September is the best time to transition their wardrobes for the fall season and during Bon-Ton’s Goodwill Sale, they will find all the new fashion trends, support Goodwill’s mission and find great deals. The semi-annual Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale takes place September 14 to October 1, 2016, at all local Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers stores.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c690c06b-47cb-457c-8edf-7143671d6773

Here’s how the Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale works: People bring their used apparel or home textile donations for Goodwill to any of Bon-Ton’s 267 store locations.  Donations can include clothing for ladies, men and children, soft household goods such blankets, outerwear, shoes and accessories. Donors receive discount coupons of up to 25 percent off new fall merchandise including designer brands and other items at Bon-Ton. 20 items donated equal 20 coupons to shop during the Goodwill Sale, it’s that easy.

New this year, one donor in every Bon-Ton store throughout the Goodwill Sale, will be randomly awarded with a $100 Bon-Ton gift card on the spot. It's Bon-Ton’s way of saying thank you for the simple act of donating and giving back to the community. 

“The Goodwill Sale is a signature event for Bon-Ton and kicks off the shopping season with the newest fall fashions,” said Kathryn Bufano, president and CEO of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. “Customers enjoy receiving discounts on their favorite brands while making a difference in their community.”

During this cause-marketing promotion, Goodwill trucks pick up the donated items from Bon-Ton stores and later sell the items in Goodwill stores in the communities where they were collected. The revenues help fund local job placement, training and community services for people facing challenges to finding employment.

“Donations received from the Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale are vital to helping Goodwills continue to provide services such as career counseling and education,” said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “Each local Goodwill organization tailors its services to community needs, so donors can take pride in knowing that their donations will directly help local job seekers.”

Goodwill and Bon-Ton have partnered for the Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale for 22 years. Last year alone, donations to Goodwill during the Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale provided 578,000 hours of Goodwill services in the communities where both Bon-Ton and Goodwill operate.

 Customers can learn more about the donation drive at Million Acts of Goodwill and enter for a chance to win a $20,000 Fall Style and Wardrobe Makeover.

About Bon-Ton Stores
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 267 stores, which includes 9 furniture galleries and four clearance centers, in 26 states in the Northeast, Midwest and upper Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner’s, Boston Store, Carson’s, Elder-Beerman, Herberger’s and Younkers nameplates.  The stores offer a broad assortment of national and private brand fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics and home furnishings.  The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. is an active and positive participant in the communities it serves.

For store locations and information visit bonton.com. Join the conversation and be inspired by following Bon-Ton on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and the fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog, #LoveStyle.

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 164 community-based organizations in the United States and Canada with a presence in 13 other countries. Goodwill is the #1 brand doing the most good in the world (Brand World Value Index, 2016) and is one of America’s top 20 most inspiring companies (Forbes, 2014). Goodwill organizations are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund employment placement services, job training programs and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in more than 3,100 stores and online at shopgoodwill.com®. Local Goodwill organizations also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food services preparation, and document imaging and shredding. Last year, Goodwill placed 312,000 people in employment in the United States and Canada. Nearly two million people worked to build their career and financial assets by engaging with Goodwill team members. In addition, more than 35 million people used computers and mobile devices to access Goodwill education, training, mentoring and online learning services to strengthen their skills. To learn more, visit goodwill.org.

For more information or to find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at Goodwill.org or call (800) GOODWILL. Follow us on Twitter: @GoodwillIntl and @GoodwillCapHill, and find us on Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Christine Hojnacki
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. 
(414) 347-5329, 
cell (262) 378-9354
[email protected]

Charlene Sarmiento
Public Relations Program Manager
Goodwill Industries International 
(240) 333-5590
cell (240) 620-7703
[email protected]