Story Archive

Paying it Backwards

Andrew Anderson, 19, worked at a Goodwill Industries thrift store in East Naples, Fla. “What I did was with all good intentions,” he says: for about two weeks, he cut prices in half for those he thought needed help — “paying it forward” because “it makes you feel amazing.” But when store managers found out what he was doing, they fired him and called the sheriff. Anderson was arrested and charged with grand theft. “Our stores are not around to give a hand out,” said a Goodwill spokeswoman, “they’re around to give people a hand up by providing funding.” By giving unauthorized discounts, that funding was reduced. “When people steal from Goodwill, they’re not stealing from the company,” the spokeswoman says, “they’re stealing from the mission of our organization.” Still, Goodwill has asked that the charges be dropped. (RC/WBBH Fort Myers) ...Is it still “paying it forward” if you’re forcing someone else to pay?