TARGET Still GRINCHING the Salvation Army...

WMCA - New York ^ | 12.06.2004

[rightsmart]

I believe in free-market competition. If a nonprofit cannot find funding sources it is no-one's fault but their own. Blaming Target is no different than blaming the government for having a smaller welfare check. I am saying this as the head of a small nonprofit organization.

[ushr435]

While I plan on writing my check to the Salavation Army, but there is something to be said for demonstrating and witnessing through action. It is an important lessons for our kids and children to not only see us put a donation in the kettle, but to be able to help put a donation in the kettle. Kids start to see that they too can help and starts them on a path to future giving as an adult.

Yes, I can certainly have kids sit down with me when I write the check, but it's not the same and it does not make the same impact.

Because of that, we will shop where a kettle is present and where kids can play a part!

[Betty Jane]

I was not in a K-mart since the Rosie O'Donnell flare up. At first, you remind yourself not to go there, next thing you know it's been four or five years and you didn't even miss it.

[Manic_Episode]

Now I'm not some highly paid executive, but to me this backlash was very foreseeable. Makes me wonder if someone sought advice from sycophants.

This will reflect in Targets quarterly earnings, and I fear Bob Ulrich won't be getting a raise this year.

[floriduh voter]

I have lots of shopping choices. I usually did give my year end change to the SA in front of Target and the Band was even playing and all to the side, not blocking the entrances to Target.

Normally, I hit Target once a week. I haven't been there since they stiffed the Salvation Army. Consider how much the Salvation Army did in Florida when we were hit by four hurricanes. I guess Minnesotan ceos forgot to calculate that the SA is a really good cause and another American tradition that is getting the boot due to cries of sep of church and state.

[floriduh voter]

If this thread gets really long, the author should email it to Target so they can see that freepers are saying "no" to Target.

[floriduh voter]

Are you emailing your thread to Target?

[Coop]

I believe in free-market competition. If a nonprofit cannot find funding sources it is no-one's fault but their own. Blaming Target is no different than blaming the government for having a smaller welfare check. I am saying this as the head of a small nonprofit organization.

As do I. But I completely disagree with your assessment that Target should not face any consequences for its action. Free market means accepting responsibility for one's actions. And it also means I can do whatever I like with my money - which will NOT be going to Target in the future.

[Hot Tabasco]

I went up to 2 bell ringers outside K-Mart on Saturday to make a donation and this is what one bellringer said to me:

Thank you, have a merry Chri...., uh, merry holiday...

Evidently the Salvation Army has received P.C. marching orders to eliminate "Christmas" from their holiday vocabulary......

I said to the individual that we are celebrating the birth of Christ and that I would have preferred "Merry Christmas".....

[af_vet_rr]

Should not BOTH chains be targeted for boycotts?

There should be many boycotts of many companies, but most people don't care enough to really do something. Sure, many will complain, but most don't care enoough.

[A6M3]

lets everyone grinch the Target this year. The best way to fight these clowns is to give them a swift kick right where it hurts the most, in the pocket book.

[A6M3]

lets everyone grinch the Target this year. The best way to fight these clowns is to give them a swift kick right where it hurts the most, in the pocket book.

[A6M3]

Sorry for the double post.

[Veritas et equitas ad Votum]

I am thinking of quitting the traditional gift giving all together. From now on, I'll give out the yellow "Support Our Troops" magnets for cars, Bibles, American flags, and I'll make donations to charities on behalf of the person.

I am absolutely fed up with the commercialization of Christmas, between Target, Macy's, the Denver parade, etc... I've had enough.

/rant off

[Dubh_Ghlase]

I sent an email to Target, stating why I would not be shopping there anymore. Here is their response:
=========================================================

Subject: The Salvation Army

Dear XXXX,

Like many nationwide retailers, Target Corporation has a long-standing "no solicitation" policy that it consistently applies to all organizations across all of its stores.

We receive an increasing number of solicitation inquiries from non-profit organizations and other groups each year and determined that if we continue to allow the Salvation Army to solicit then it opens the door to any other groups that wish to solicit our guests. While some of our guests may welcome the opportunity to support their favorite charity or cause, allowing these organizations to solicit means that Target would also have to permit solicitation by organizations whose cause or behavior may be unacceptable to our guests.

We notified the Salvation Army of our decision in January 2004, well in advance of the holiday season, so the organization would have time to find alternative fundraising sources. Target also asked the Salvation Army to look at other ways that we could support their organization under our corporate giving guidelines. To this date they have not provided a proposal that fits those guidelines.

Local Salvation Army chapters can apply for grants through their local Target stores. For decades, many non-profit organizations across the country have successfully worked with Target in this manner. We are asking the Salvation Army to work with us in the same exact manner as the other groups and organizations who ask to solicit our guests.

This decision in noway diminishes Target Corporation's commitment to its communities. Target has one of the largest corporate philanthropy programs in America, donating more than $2 million per week and hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours each year to the communities in which it does business.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Hanson
Target Executive Offices

[streetcirculator]

I know how Salvation Army got banned from Target. It's because of the way they were getting inundated with just about every type of store-front activity imaginable. I was told by a manager it was not the political campaigns that were causing the problems. It was the groups who sell See's candy bars(candy kids), Soldiers of Christ (the ones in the white uniforms who stand directly in the customer's path with the bucket), and the worst ones, the "homeless", One Nation Church?, who set up at 5 A.M. with their chair and their tall, blue donation box. So Target just banned everybody. Now they will all go to Albertsons and Vons. Just wait and see. Costco, Trader Joes, and many other chains have had bans in place for quite some time. Soon the rest of the chains will follow suit and then it will be nearly impossible to get anything on the ballot.

[DBCJR]

The store chain Target has decided this Christmas to ban the Salvation Army from placing their bell ringers outside their stores to solicit funds for the wonderful work they do for our nation's most vulnerable. In my opinion, giving to the causes that the Salvation Army serves is a lot more about the Christmas season than the merchandise I buy from Target, so we are banning Target from our shopping until they change their policy banning the Salvation Army. If it takes them until next year, or the next, that is entirely Target's call. Join me in this effort by not shopping there, and encouraging your friends to do likewise. Then communicate this to Target at:

http://www.targetcorp.com/targetcorp_group/contactus/contact_general.jhtml

This is what I said:

"My family regularly shops at Target, yet the news that Target has banned the Salvation Army from soliciting donations this Christmas will change that. Like you, the Christmas season is their major source of revenues. They do an extraordinary amount of good for the nation's most vulnerable. The damage Target has inflicted upon that effort cannot be measured. I will not shop at Target until they change their policy toward the Salvation Army, and I will encourage my friends to do likewise. Please let me know when you change your policy."

Please pass this onto those in your address book & Merry Christmas!