Unable to stop people from dropping off items, Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania has reversed the no donations policy put into place over coronavirus concerns.

Goodwill decided not to accept donations as a way to adhere to the state’s coronavirus precautions and closed Goodwill’s stores and donation centers in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

But Tuesday, Goodwill reversed that decision, opening its 27 locations in the area to “no contact” self-service donations.

In Butler County, donations are being accepted at the 370 New Castle Road store and the super Goodwill in Cranberry Township, the largest Goodwill store in Western Pennsylvania, at 1234 Freedom Road.

“We know that many people are doing their spring cleaning while at home during the COVID-19 situation,” said Mike Smith, president/CEO of Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania, in the announcement. “We know people need an outlet for all of the merchandise they have accumulated, and we don’t want community donations to end up in the trash.

David Tobicbyk, a Goodwill spokesman, also noted this time of year brings in the largest amount of donations for the organization.

Goodwill noted that people were dropping off goods anyway, and the items were being destroyed by inclement weather. The strewn goods also created health and safety issues for the surrounding communities, group officials said.

The nonprofit organization received approval from the state to operate the donation centers. Now, people can donate items by driving up to a designated self-service area outside the store.

Goodwill noted that the donations would be moved to a quarantine area inside the stores.

The organization said more than 60 percent of its revenue is generated through donations sold at its area thrift stores.

Additionally, the organization said it expects an increased need for Goodwill’s employment services for people who have lost jobs due to the pandemic.