Charitable contributions are often the first thing to go when companies cut back. But as News 3's Denise Rosch reports, sometimes you don't have to write a check to make a huge difference.

On the surface, they couldn't be any more different: a non-profit selling gently used clothing and household goods, and a truck company dealing with big rigs and even bigger contracts.

"We've seen our number of customers go up," says Steve Chartrand with Goodwill of Southern Nevada. "Word is getting out Goodwill is great place to shop."

At Peterbilt PacLease of Las Vegas, giving back has always been a no-brainer. But this year, it's the economy that's forced them to hit the breaks.

"We weren't sure we'd be able to do an entire donation amount so we started thinking outside the box," explains Dan Moss, Peterbilt. "What can we do instead of just writing a check?"

Well, what they did was join forces with a number of suppliers and businesses they're in contact with to have everyone pitch in and make one big donation to Goodwill: A 2010 truck worth about $100,000 to the charity.

"Not only is the truck huge, but the value is huge," says Chartrand. "If we had to pay that out, that's money we could not use to help people get jobs.  And so it's a very creative way for many companies to come together and to really help us."

The donation is a full-service six-year lease. Meaning, all maintenance and parts are taken care of; all Goodwill has to provide is a driver and gas.

The truck will be used to pick up trailers full of donations from drop-off points around the valley, helping stock the thrift stores and keep Goodwill afloat.

"We thought, they're doing a lot of good work, let's give them something special," said Moss.

It's a gift Goodwill executives say will literally take them miles. All because of a bad economy and one company's desire to do the right thing.

Once the six-year lease is up, Peterbilt plans to sell the truck and donate any profits from the sale back to Goodwill.