Introducing Goods

Introducing Goods

Goods-Logo
Helping people, helping pets
GOODS is a program of Greater Good Charities that distributes food, essential supplies, clothing, housewares, toys, and more to pets and people in need across the world.

The GOODS Program has a holistic approach that helps the whole family, providing food and supplies for people and pets in need.

The increase in poverty, food insecurity, and domestic violence over the past several years has affected families, including their pets, resulting in a greater need for food and essential supplies across the globe for both people and pets alike.
740 MM+
Pet Meals Delivered
7 MM+
Pet Pharmaceutical Doses Provided
9,100+
Shipments of Food and Supplies
SDG_Goods

Greater Good Charities is proud to meet the 17 goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda. Learn more about each goal and how programs like GOODS is transforming the world.

Distributed by ambassadors across the U.S.

Our Ambassadors help distribute donated food and product in their region.

how does the goods program work?

GOODS sources and manages excess, re-branded, and short-dated food and supplies from donors including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. GOODS then makes these products available to qualified and approved distribution groups (Ambassadors) who ensure they reach the organizations that need them (Recipients), including human services agencies, food banks, domestic violence organizations, and animal care and feeding groups under the Rescue Bank® umbrella.

The GOODS distribution network consists of thousands of charitable partners including animal welfare organizations, food banks, Veteran Affairs locations, and other qualified agencies.

The GOODS Program uses a sustainable hub and spoke model similar to a food bank. That is, the goods are donated, but freight, warehouse, and program costs are met by handling fees and donations. 

Looking to donate product? Please click here.

 

Becoming a corporate partner to the GOODS Program
sponsors
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Discover what's new, read updates, and learn about more ways you can spread the good with us.

Goods Impact
Since 2011, GOODS has provided over 715 million pet meals and tens of millions of dollars in supplies to help people and pets across the world by acting as a centralized hub for donations and deliveries, trusted by domestic and international emergency response teams.  
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Humane Society of Carroll County COVID relief PetSmart MV 2-covid-response-blurred
Disaster / covid-19 response

Keeping pets with their families and out of shelters is critical in times of crisis.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, families accessing United Way of Miami's two food pantries were struggling to feed their four-legged family members, as well.

Greater Good Charities partnered with FoMA to provide the food bank with quality pet food. Helping families receive much-needed pet food lessened the stress and financial struggles of COVID-19.

New Story
These GOODS go a long way to helping in times of crisis! During the Texas Deep Freeze in 2021, communities were already in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many relied on the aid of food banks to make ends meet for their families.

Daniel F. attended the first mass Drive-Thru Emergency Pantry (DTEP) at the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank, funded by Greater Good Charities and 12 Tomatoes. Daniel’s family of five experienced a complete and total loss of food due to spoilage after being without power for three days. Impacted by job loss and then the Winter Storm, he said that although his family has fallen on tough times, he knows that things will get better. “This could happen to anyone, but I am thankful for this good help that the food bank and community are providing for us to help us get by and back on our feet.”
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Read More GOODS program Success Stories

What is the GOODS Program?

GOODS is a program of Greater Good Charities that distributes food, essential supplies, clothing, housewares, toys, and more to pets and people in need across the world.

Who does the GOODS Program help?

Constituents of the GOODS Program include pets (homeless and owned), families facing economic hardships, unhoused populations, military veterans, domestic violence survivors, victims of disasters, and displaced persons (DPs) or internally displaced persons (IDPs)..

Why is the GOODS Program needed?
The GOODS Program has a more holistic approach than Greater Good Charities’ previous program (Rescue Bank) that focused solely on the distribution of pet food and supplies to a select group of animal rescue partners.

The increase in poverty, food insecurity, and domestic violence over the past several years has affected families including their pets, resulting in a greater need for food and essential supplies across the globe.
How does the GOODS Program work?

GOODS sources and manages excess, re-branded, and short-dated food and supplies from donors including manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. GOODS then makes these products available to qualified and approved distribution groups (Ambassadors) who ensure they reach the organizations that need them (Recipients).

The GOODS distribution network consists of thousands of charitable partners including animal welfare organizations, food banks, Veterans Affairs locations, and other qualified agencies.

The GOODS Program uses a sustainable hub and spoke model similar to a food bank. That is, the goods are donated, but freight, warehouse, and program costs are met by handling fees and donations.

Want to become a corporate partner with the GOODS Program? Download our PowerPoint below to learn how.


 
How can I apply to be a Recipient?

Please locate the Ambassador nearest to you HERE and apply directly on their website.

 

the benefits to sponsors

Our generous sponsors supply the goods! From the sponsor's perspective, the decision to donate product must consider brand integrity, opportunities to enhance goodwill, risk, and cost. The GOODS Program encompasses the whole process for receiving, tracking, and delivering donated product on a national scale.

The GOODS Program sponsors benefit from:

  • An enhanced sustainable development program by putting slow-moving or short-dated inventory to good use in a way that has many social and environmental benefits
  • One-call access to a nationwide reverse logistics network, reduced workload for your donation coordinators
  • Recipient qualification through a detailed vetting process
  • Recipient agreements that address FDA compliance, liability, and media rights issues
  • Freight and regional distribution warehouse costs paid by The GOODS Program and its Ambassadors – you provide FOB at your facility, and we cover the rest
  • More rapid distribution of large volumes for faster recovery of warehouse space
  • Shipment tracking and recall notice capabilities
  • Coordination with your corporate communications, publicity, advertising, and social media staff to maximize goodwill
  • Partner donation process

Click here for other brand benefits, as well as examples of brand partnerships, campaigns and initiatives.

 

20230206_Volunteers Smiling with Dog_©GGC_Gulf Coast Humane Society_Rescue Rebuild Phase Two
Contact the Goods program

Contact by email at GOODS@greatergood.org
We typically need the following information:

  • Product location and address, contact name, and phone number
  • Product description(s), quantities, and ‘best by’ dates
  • Confirmation that it is palletized and shrink-wrapped suitable for truck freight
  • Transportation and storage specifics (dry, refrigerated, frozen)
  • Reason for donation (code date issue, etc.)
  • Schedule, including restricted days or hours at loading facility
  • Fair Market Value of Donation

Make sure to check out our FAQ page for more information. If you still have questions, please email GOODS@greatergood.org.

 

our ambassador program

Operating on the national food bank model, the GOODS Program depends on regional Ambassadors to distribute food and products in their community. We cannot complete our mission without the active support of our community-based Ambassadors.

The GOODS Program serves its Ambassadors by:

  • Sourcing and negotiating for donated food and products
  • Shipping products to the Ambassador's warehouse
  • Collecting distribution data and reporting to sponsors
  • Providing standard forms and training materials for Ambassadors
  • Providing support for disasters and other emergencies
20230206_Volunteer Carrying Bag_©GGC_Gulf Coast Humane Society_Rescue Rebuild Phase Two-our-ambassador-program

What are the Ambassador criteria?

  • Be a non-profit 501©3 organization (with or without a municipal contract) in good standing and/or a state/local governmental agency.
  • Have been in existence for at least two fiscal years, with two years of nonprofit status in good standing with the IRS at an operating level over $100,000 per year. All 990s must be up to date and available for review.
  • Demonstrate financial responsibility and capabilities for record keeping and timely reporting.
  • Agree to the terms and conditions of the Ambassador Agreement, including compliance with our operating procedures and reporting requirements.
  • Using the guidelines provided by the GOODS Program, properly identify, screen, and manage Recipients before supplying resources to them.
  • Screen online after distributions for resellers at a frequency of once per truckload.
  • Must be able to operate the program without interruption through use of reliable volunteers and/or staff. Have convenient hours available to receive trucks and distribute to Recipients.
  • Have a social media presence and/or website with quality photos and storytelling. Strong social media presence and following with ability to use a website or social media to drive traffic to their food assistance programming.
  • Operate progressive community programming with a collaborative spirit and record of success. Examples may include spay/neuter, humane education, shelter intervention and foster. Greater Good Charities is committed to promoting our Ambassadors.

An Ambassador organization will need to have:

  • Warehouse space that is suitable for receiving, storing, and redistributing at least 40 pallets of pet food and/or supplies.
  • Equipment and staff/volunteers to unload a truck within two hours – a forklift or loading dock is required. A pallet jack is suggested. Full truckloads do not come with a liftgate.
  • A website and social media pages on which the Greater Good Charities’ partnership is represented.

Are there costs associated with becoming an Ambassador Distributor?

The GOODS Program does not charge an Ambassador membership dues, but Ambassadors are charged a handling fee for each truckload they accept. This is to cover the freight for shipments to the Ambassador’s warehouse. In turn, Ambassadors charge a handling fee to their Recipients and may retain a portion of these fees to meet their local expenses.

The GOODS Program distribution typically does not generate extra income for the Ambassador. However, the portion of the handling fee retained by the Ambassador can often meet their expenses such as the rental of a warehouse.

 

our goods recipients

Recipients of the GOODS Program include, but are not limited to, pets (homeless and owned), families facing economic hardships, homeless populations, veterans, domestic violence survivors, and victims of disasters.

072022_Group Photo With Dog and Bags of Dog Food_©GGC_Food Bank - Pet Food Distribution - Kiev, Chernihiv, Sumy-1

Do Recipients pay any fees?

Yes, a small handling fee based on the national foodbank model. The food is donated but freight, warehousing and program services are not. Recipients pay a small fee that helps the Ambassador and the GOODS Program meet their expenses. Outside sponsors contribute the rest.

The fee is a maximum allowable charge to the Recipient. An Ambassador may reduce the fee charged to the Recipient, except that the Ambassador must still pay the GOODS Program its portion.

There are cases where a fee is reduced or not charged, such as:

  • Disaster response
  • Law enforcement actions such as cruelty or hoarding cases
  • Distributions where the sponsor pays the freight and handling

How do I obtain food and/or products?

Please use the map to find the Ambassador nearest you. Click on their pin to be taken to their website to apply.
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