tired already by the people helping the needy

[SDFgirl]

I've never once been harrassed or otherwise treated rudely by those collecting for the needy. Frankly I find it a little hard to believe.

 

[C.Ann]

I may be wrong, but I don't think the OP was complaining about people helping the needy, I think she was complaining about those people harrassing her because she couldn't give at this time. At least that's how I took it.

That's how I understood it as well.. OP is feeling bad enough without these solicitors making her feel worse..

If you can't do anything, you can't.. If you can - and you choose a few specific charities you are willing to donate to, that's fine as well..

I have too much inside knowledge of the SA to ever donate to them, but I find other reputable charities that I will most certainly donate to - to the best of my ability - be that time; money; canned goods; bake sales; etc...

 

[glitterkittyy]

I donate to the Salvation Army annually but also every single time I pass a red kettle. As a child, they were the only reason I had a Christmas the year that my dad had congestive heart failure, and we lost pretty much everything. There are a lot of needy out there.

If you can give, great. If you can't, I totally understand and hope your holiday season is happy.

If someone asks you to donate, and you can't or don't want to, it's perfectly okay to simply say "no thank you".

 

[Handbag Lady]

I totally get where the OP is coming from. And it is very possible that their situation is expounding their feelings of not being able to give and then makes one feel even worse.

We are all feeling the pinch this year, OP, so please don't feel bad. There are also many people who have to bite the bullet and accept help from the same charities who are trying to gather donations. We're all in the same big row boat, now, I guess.


In my need to tighten up, I did some early shopping this weekend to hit some sales and to start crossing things off of my small list and to check prices on some items. I made one purchase and the sales clerk asked if I wanted to donate $1 to a charity. I said yes and he almost started to say, "Really?" but stopped himself and thanked me.

I think maybe I was the first one to say yes. It can't be easy to be on either side.

 

[wdwfan16]

That's how I understood it as well.. OP is feeling bad enough without these solicitors making her feel worse..

If you can't do anything, you can't.. If you can - and you choose a few specific charities you are willing to donate to, that's fine as well..

I have too much inside knowledge of the SA to ever donate to them, but I find other reputable charities that I will most certainly donate to - to the best of my ability - be that time; money; canned goods; bake sales; etc...

What would that be? They are highly ranked as honest and with the % that gets to the people they are helping.

 

[Planogirl]

I just smile and say that I can't. I rarely hear anything more after that and most of the people at the kettles don't even say anything to begin with.

The only ones that I see that are really pushy are some of the girl scouts when they are out. They're just so darn cute though.

 

[luvmy3]

I've never once been harrassed or otherwise treated rudely by those collecting for the needy. Frankly I find it a little hard to believe.

Well you now can, because that does happen

 

[C.Ann]

What would that be? They are highly ranked as honest and with the % that gets to the people they are helping.

It would be information that should not be revealed on a message board - due to the sources..

With some charities you can find all the info you need via the internet - with others, more info is revealed via the interworkings of the charity itself - people who are employed in various capacities - from the lowest rung to the highest..

If you're comfortable giving to the SA - or any other charitable organizations you might choose - that's the only thing that counts..

I'm sure everyone has their personal preferences - based on positive experiences or negative experiences..

 

[happygirl]

I've never once been harrassed or otherwise treated rudely by those collecting for the needy. Frankly I find it a little hard to believe.

I agree, I can't believe they would get rude with people, I'm not saying it doesn't happen just hasn't happend to anyone I know. If they were rude to me I would chalk it up to a long day.

 

[RitaE]

I've never once been harrassed or otherwise treated rudely by those collecting for the needy. Frankly I find it a little hard to believe.

I've never had much of a problem with the Salvation Army, other than the kettle blocking the exit story from earlier. I have had problems with a local animal shelter who sets up outside our grocery store and a few kid groups selling candy bars.

The stoplight people are the worst though. I hate being trapped at red lights with some of those groups. I've had them knock on my car windows and stand there outside my car glaring when I shake my head no. I've had them show my kids candy (tootsie rolls etc) and then scream, come on Mom..just a nickel and he can have one. etc etc.

I had a kid at the grocery store cash register tell me once "Oh come on! You can buy Doritos but not give to charity?" Yeah, I should have reported him to the manager but he was a kid. I went all Mom on him instead and told him that if he tried that with the wrong customer he probably would get reported to the Manager. Who knows if he listened and learned.

If people want to give to every red kettle they pass I don't have a problem with that. I think it is fine and dandy. The problem is.... I don't carry much cash with me and I empty my change into a home jar every day. I very seldom HAVE money available to give ... plus I really need receipts for the tax write offs because our taxes are ridiculous and I need my deductions.

But overall, I shouldn't have to justify myself to anybody in regards to my charitable giving. My finances aren't any of their business.

 

[Mermaid02]

I give when I can and otherwise I just smile and go on my way- nobody has ever pursued me to "lecture" me.

 

[luvmy3]

That's how I understood it as well.. OP is feeling bad enough without these solicitors making her feel worse..

If you can't do anything, you can't.. If you can - and you choose a few specific charities you are willing to donate to, that's fine as well..

I have too much inside knowledge of the SA to ever donate to them, but I find other reputable charities that I will most certainly donate to - to the best of my ability - be that time; money; canned goods; bake sales; etc...

I don't donate to SA either, probably for the same reasons.

 

[Planogirl]

The Salvation Army has such a good record so some of these posts are surprising. You just never know I guess.

The charity that I distrust is the United Way. I refer only to the parent company in this.

 

[happygirl]

I would like to hear SA deep dark secert, If they are bad charity I don't want to donate to them.

 

[kydisneyfans]

My wife used to work for the Salvation Army before we moved, a donation there is the top of the list every year as we know where the money goes. We do a check donation instead of a kettle donation though, there have been too many kettle thefts the past few years.

All other donations go to our church or church affiliated charities.

I recently walked past a Salvation Army kettle, girl scout bake sale, and boy scout popcorn sale in the lobby of a Kroger, I agree that is too much.

 

[Mermaid02]

I donate to SA- here they are above board honest........... I won't donate to the Red Cross...... My Uncle was the most generous man on the face of the Earth and he would NEVER give The Red Cross a cent....... there's a story if anyone is interested.........

 

[happygirl]

I donate to SA- here they are above board honest........... I won't donate to the Red Cross...... My Uncle was the most generous man on the face of the Earth and he would NEVER give The Red Cross a cent....... there's a story if anyone is interested.........

I would like to know it, I don't want to give my hard earned money to any charity that is going to mishand it.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I have a family member who was saved by the Salvation Army (drugs, homeless, etc). I always give to the Salvation Army.

 

[MushyMushy]

I've never had SA bell ringers get rude with me, but I have had numerous occasions where cashiers have when they'll ask for donation to whatever cause. I've had them ask "are you sure?" or "it's a good cause" or "don't you want to help the needy???" all said with a snide tone. Most recent was Barnes & Noble. They're collecting books and I WORK for a non-profit organization that gives books to needy families, so I would give THEM the books if I were donating. Each time I've explained it, the cashier was understanding, but the last time I was there, the clerk asked, "Why wouldn't you want to donate to both?"

I didn't say it but I was thinking, "Um, because I work for a non-profit and don't make much money" But yeah, I've definitely gotten attitude from people.

 

[autumnpalm]

I donate what I can, when I can. Mostly that is through my church which supports centers for the homeless, food banks, overseas poverty, etc. In the offering each week I add extra for the missions/ministry work. I know the charities my church donates to and I trust all of them, they do some amazing work.

When I can, I'll drop in some coins in a SA Kettle, animal shelter box at the checkout of the grocery store or donate a few dollars at the checkout of a store for whatever they are collecting for... but I don't feel bad politely declining.

There is no way a person can donate to every cause out there, so I try not to feel bad. I wish I could do more and I don't like getting "looks" from people when I walk by without donating but it doesn't bother me too much.

I also volunteer my time at a local children's hospital as well as a shelter for the homeless. I know that I contribute to my community as much as I can and I do dislike others making me feel "bad" for not doing enough. However ultimately I think charities that are overly pushy end up hurting themselves when people start avoiding them like the plague!