People collecting for causes outside of Walmart

[just4today]

I went to Walmart yesterday when I was in a hurry because I had somewhere else to be later on. I approached the entrance and saw a small table set up there. There was a poster-board sign taped to the table that said "Say NO to child abuse!." There was a woman sitting at the table with a tub of money and a guy standing there trying to get people to donate. As I passed him on my way into the store, he said "young lady (ha!) I hope you'll donate to stop child abuse on your way back out of the store!" I didn't say anything, just kept walking.

As I was in the checkout lane, I decided to donate a dollar. I walked out the door and just held out the dollar. The guy came and took it and told me how "special" I am to have donated. I just said "no problem" and kept going.

Once I was in my car getting ready to drive away, I got to thinking - how do I know that this guy represented a legimate agency? I really don't at all. He could just be some Joe Blow from off the street that decided to set up a table outside Walmart and tell people he was collecting for a good cause. That made me wonder if there are any steps that people need to go through in order to be able to collect for a cause outside of Walmart. Do they have to fill out paperwork or get some sort of approval? Or next time I'm short on cash, maybe I could just set up a table and ask people to donate money??

I realize that it's only a dollar, and if I was really concerned about it I could have stopped to talk to the people and found out who they were and all that. I was in a hurry. I just wonder how many people, like me, are in a hurry and just toss money in the pot without even really knowing what they're donating for, just so that these people will not make them feel uncomfortable as they're walking in/out. I really dislike being put on the spot like that when I'm just trying to go about my business!

Your thoughts?

 

[Pixiedust34]

I don't donate at Wal-Mart or at any street corner type-of-place. Like you said, how do you know if they are representing said agency plus I don't like being put on the spot for money. When we donate, we'll give directly to the charity via church (our church donates regularly to a local shelter) or a payment online or through the mail to a charity of our choice.

 

[Jennasis]

I'm fairly certain Walmart has some rules in place about who can set up on their doorstep. Also, I THINK they are supposed to have their 501c notice available for anyone to see. I could be wrong. But I solve this problem by NOT donating to any of those situations. To me, it is no different than begging/panhandling on a street corner. Thre are other, more legitamate ways for organizations to raise money. BEGGING should not be one of them. Also, I donate privately to many causes.

 

[barkley]

there was a huge stink about this where we used to live. walmart tried to deal with it but they could'nt control it unless they owned the property the store was on (and most in our area were in mini malls with other buisnesses so walmart leased). unless the property owner did something to deal with it, it was a battle walmart could'nt seem to win (and the property owners genuinly wanted to let the scouts and legit groups sell/collect) but did'nt want to have to investigate every group. the city we were in finaly made a law that solicitors and supposed charity 'sales' (give some crummy item in exchange for a donation) had to get a permit-and the city made them provide the paperwork to show they were legit.

i once had one of the table "charitable" guys trying to shoo me away when he hit me up for a donation to a supposed homeless organization. he was giving a line of b.s. to the people around it about how there were no programs to help a certain population of the homeless. working in social services in that area i knew of several and when i asked him about them (by name) he did'nt even know what i was talking about, i asked him about a government program (by name-but not called 'homeless') and he had no idea what i was talking about. i said (and i admit i intentionaly talked rather loudly so people passing by could hear) "what kind of a homeless assistance charity are you if you don't even know about other charities and free government programs we have localy-are you saying if people donate to you the people you serve won't even be told to come see me at the office on x street where i can personaly help them access housing and funds to pay for it, and you won't tell them about x,y and z groups who DO know about the government programs and about each other and work together to realy help people?". he got real red in the face and just looked daggers at me.


i should add-the day dh went to walmart with me and i noticed the table with a sign that read something like "free assitance with mental health treatment, speciaizing in at risk children/teens" but pointed out to dh the boxes under the table of scientology brochures/dianetics books he grabbed my arm, said 'don't even go there' and would'nt even let me talk to them

 

[EthansMom]

I used to see a set-up VERY similar to the one described by the OP outside my local grocery store.... basically, a homemade sign that said "Help the Homeless" on a folding table. It was always staffed by the same 2 or 3 people. I finally clued in that it probably wasn't a legit charity. More likely some folks who were helping themselves to the money.

 

[SC Minnie]

our local WalMart has stopped all soliciting on the property because one organization was blocking the entrance and 'bothering' people. So they stopped it all- even Girl Scouts won't be allowed to sell cookies

 

[live4christp1]

Walmart does require forms to be filled out and copies of the organizations not for profit forms. Our Cub scout/Boy scout pack/troop sale their popcorn outside Wal-mart every year but the scouts are not allowed to ask for donations as per BSA standards.

 

[KirstenB]

I wonder about this too. There are people at our Walmart who say they're fundraising for DARE. At dd's school, that program is run by our sheriff's department. I'd give if the sheriff's department asked me directly, but it seems strange that the people are in front of Walmart. So, OP, I understand what you're saying.

Something like the bell ringers for Salvation Army, I know they're legit, and have no problem with.

 

[MIGrandma]

They do that a lot at our local Wal-Mart too. One time in particular comes to mind, it was the Shriner's asking for donations. I walked by and didn't donate and the man said "I hope you're never in need of our services!" I stopped dead in my tracks, looked him right in the eye and told him I donated to several charities on my own, and at our church. I told him if I wanted to make a donation I would do it directly to the charity and not from someone standing by a door holding a coffee can and I walked away. I thought he was pretty nervy. I wish stores wouldn't allow that kind of solicitation.

 

[luvmy3]

I would never donate to anyone standing outside of a store asking for money.

 

[just4today]

Normally I don't. I donate to the Salvation Army bell ringers, but nobody else. I have no idea what moved me to do that. Maybe it's because he called me "young lady." Seriously, I think I was just trying to avoid being hassled when I came back out, which is pretty silly I guess.

 

[luvmy3]

Normally I don't. I donate to the Salvation Army bell ringers, but nobody else. I have no idea what moved me to do that. Maybe it's because he called me "young lady." Seriously, I think I was just trying to avoid being hassled when I came back out, which is pretty silly I guess.

I find it hard to just say "no" so I just say "sorry I don't carry cash".

 

[FoundMyPrince]

When I'm at WalMart and see people asking for money I will sometimes park near the opposite entrance just to avoid them. I hate being asked for money. We give to charities that I've researched and know they are legit. I'm sure the stores have to have rules in place to avoid being scammed, but I'm always leery.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I have arranged to do donations at Walmart before and our walmarts here require proof of 501(c)(3) status...that we are a not for profit.

However all that means is that the money goes to a not-for profit group. You have no way of knowing how much overhead that group pays (I did LLS Team in Training and the fundraiser I was doing was 80/20 with only 20% overhead and 80% going direct to the cause).

So you don't know how "honorable" the groups are with their monies--however, none can be for profit.

If I an not familiar with the group, then I choose not to donate.


The ones that I "sometimes" do--are knights of columbus (ours does a tootsie roll drive and they budget for the tootsie roll purchase every year, but all monies collected goes directly to the cause--some group that helps disabled citizens), some veterans groups, any Team in Training type group that I have heard of, Bell ringers at Christmas--etc.

I avoid the child abuse ones and anything similar b/c they don't have a group name or anything and I question how much money the cause is getting.

I could be a stinker and interview them, but I choose not to. You need a group affiliation before I'll trust that my change will get to where you say it is going.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm fairly certain Walmart has some rules in place about who can set up on their doorstep. Also, I THINK they are supposed to have their 501c notice available for anyone to see. I could be wrong. But I solve this problem by NOT donating to any of those situations. To me, it is no different than begging/panhandling on a street corner. Thre are other, more legitamate ways for organizations to raise money. BEGGING should not be one of them. Also, I donate privately to many causes.

Our walmarts require that you "sell something".

You can't just "panhandle".

One year, I bought a bunch of mardi gras beads and handed them out over 4th of July.

So anyone collecting anything here--has to have "something" for sale.

 

[dawson5]

We're pretty skeptical anymore also. We were in Chicago once and there were some boys outside of a store selling candy bars. I can't even remember what they said they were doing this for. My hubby stood there and watched as another boy came out of the store and said "Look at my new kix." To which one of the boys with candy replied "I'll be getting mine in a few minutes."

 

[C.Ann]

Solicitations or selling of items outside of any store drives me bonkers.. I never donate or buy whatever is being sold..

I have my favorite charities and the money is sent directly to them..

I will willing involve myself in benefits (such as the ones we have been holding up here for the family with 2 terminally ill children) if I have personal knowledge of the situation, but that's about it..

 

[Darsa]

I think the thing that bugs me more than anything about these things are the people who get "in your face" about donating. Like as you approach they start haranguing you with "wouldn't you like to save the *insert something savable here* with a donation?" and treat you like crap (or heck, even give you that look when you walk by...

I don't really mind them having a table with a jar for donations, and if you're giving your money without knowing who/what it's for, hey, it's your money to do what you want with (I only donated to recognized charities myself). But how do these people know I'm not going into the store to spend my last dollar on a loaf of bread for my family's supper??? THAT is what bugs me.

 

[LuvOrlando]

We're pretty skeptical anymore also. We were in Chicago once and there were some boys outside of a store selling candy bars. I can't even remember what they said they were doing this for. My hubby stood there and watched as another boy came out of the store and said "Look at my new kix." To which one of the boys with candy replied "I'll be getting mine in a few minutes."

I grew up in SI, NY and being from there totally turned me off from donating anything to anyone in front of stores. When I was a kid it was common to see adults shove kids into begging for false charities ala Oliver Twist. Whenever anyone asks me for money I simply say , "I give directly to my own charities" without any guilt at all.

Here in the Lehigh Valley I get phone calls from what they call the "local firehouse" and used to donate for years, until one day I realized the house names were off and I was being solicited for a firehouse in ALLENTOWN who had been misleading me all that time. It is so not ok.

 

[dawson5]

I grew up in SI, NY and being from there totally turned me off from donating anything to anyone in front of stores. When I was a kid it was common to see adults shove kids into begging for false charities ala Oliver Twist. Whenever anyone asks me for money I simply say , "I give directly to my own charities" without any guilt at all.

Here in the Lehigh Valley I get phone calls from what they call the "local firehouse" and used to donate for years, until one day I realized the house names were off and I was being solicited for a firehouse in ALLENTOWN who had been misleading me all that time. It is so not ok.

We get calls out of Kentucky for our State Police. There was a big write up in the paper about this, it's been about 8 years now though. They now try to tell me that they are off-duty SP and doing this. Why would an off-duty Indiana SP officer be calling from KY to solicit money? They are quite pushy and rude.