The Bon-Ton Stores Fall Goodwill® Sale Collected Nearly 4 Million Pounds of Clothing and Textiles to Support Goodwill's Job Training Programs

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Nov 29, 2011, 08:30 ET

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The semi-annual Goodwill® Sale, a partnership between the Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: BONT) and Goodwill Industries International, collected nearly 4 million pounds of clothing and textiles during its fall promotion with an estimated value of $17 million in revenue. The revenue was used to support job training programs, youth mentoring and other community-based services that Goodwill agencies provide in their local communities.

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The most recent Bon-Ton Goodwill Sale took place from September 14-28, 2011, at Bon-Ton stores and Goodwill agencies in the Northeast, Midwest and Upper Great Plains of the United States. The Bon-Ton Stores, which operates stores under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson's, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's, Younkers, and Parisian nameplates, received donations for Goodwill at its 276 stores. Goodwill is selling the donations in its stores and the revenues will go to create job-training and placement opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantages across the nation.

"Bon-Ton works in collaboration with Goodwill on the Goodwill Sale to support people in building their careers in the communities where we operate," said Bud Bergren, president and CEO of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. "The Goodwill Sale not only offers a discount on new merchandise at Bon-Ton stores but also serves communities by investing money locally for people in need of job training and employment services."

Nearly 60 Goodwill agencies participated in the partnership and distributed approximately 2 million discount coupons to donors, who received 20 percent off of new merchandise at Bon-Ton stores. Donors also had the opportunity to share their donation on the Million Acts of Goodwill website, where they could access an exclusive 25 percent-off coupon and a chance to win a $100 gift card and a $1,000 shopping spree.

"Through the Goodwill Sale, Bon-Ton has leveraged its existing customer base and corporate identity to further Goodwill's mission of providing job training to those who need it," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "The donations from the sale have resulted in an estimated $17 million to support job search classes, resume writing and other skills training for people searching for employment."

The Goodwill Sale takes place twice a year in the spring and fall. Since 1994, the Goodwill Sale cause-marketing collaboration has helped generate an estimated potential value of more than $150 million in revenue to support Goodwill's employment services for people with disabilities, those who lack education or job experience and others facing challenges to finding employment.

About Goodwill Industries International
Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwill operates more than 2,600 stores and the first and only nonprofit Internet auction site, shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies 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 service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. Last year, more than 2.4 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 84 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) 741-0186. Twitter: @GoodwillIntl. Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

About The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc., with corporate headquarters in York, Pennsylvania and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operates 276 department stores, which include 11 furniture galleries, in 23 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 and, in the Detroit, MI, area, under the Parisian nameplate. 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. The Goodwill Sale event is long-standing charitable partnership the Company developed to support and build strong communities. For further information, please visit the investor relations section of the Company's web site at http://investors.bonton.com. Twitter: @thebonton Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Bonton

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International