Fact Check

Is Amazon Gathering Donations for Goodwill?

The online retailer is one of several businesses encouraging buyers to use their boxes for charitable donations.

Published Dec. 27, 2016

 (Hadrian/Shutterstock)
Image Via Hadrian/Shutterstock
Claim:
Amazon is taking part in a collection effort for Goodwill.

While shoppers should always be aware of the prevalence of scams (particularly during the holiday season), a new partnership involving Amazon.com is legitimate.

Give Back Box founder Monika Wiela told us that the online retailer is now taking part in her company's program, through which Amazon buyers can reuse boxes for sending donations to Goodwill Industries locations in their area.

Give Back Box's web site allows buyers to create and print their own labels, which can be dropped off at United Parcel Service or United States Post Office locations to be shipped at no charge. The company also states that donors can arrange to have their packages picked up at home, and that they can get a receipt for their donations that they can use for tax purposes.

Amazon is not the only shopping website partnering with Wiela's company. Give Back Box has similar relationships with other retailers like Overstock.com and Levis, among others. Wiela said that more than 200,000 boxes have been sent out through the program over the course of the past year.

In the strictest terms, Amazon and Goodwill are not partners. However, the online retailer is part of a relationship allowing buyers to give items to the latter company and get a tax benefit in the process.

Arturo Garcia is a former writer for Snopes.

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