Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ban on charity bell ringers makes shoppers think twice Boycotts threatened; Westlake kettle OKd
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 12/2/4 | Tanya Schevitz

Posted on 12/02/2004 8:07:01 AM PST by SmithL

The Salvation Army has received an outpouring of support after reports that two major department store chains -- Target and Mervyn's -- had banned the charity's holiday bell ringers from collecting donations in front of their stores, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

The Salvation Army's office in San Francisco received scores of calls from people who said they were shocked by the chains' decision to boot the little red kettles off their property after years of permitting the collections. Some callers said they were writing letters to the corporations; others promised to boycott the stores.

"People are saying they are saddened that the stores won't let the bell ringers be there,'' said Jennifer Byrd, the Salvation Army spokeswoman for the area from the Bay Area to Bakersfield. "People are really coming out to tell us stories about how important the Salvation Army is."

A spokeswoman for Target said its no-solicitation policy would remain in force. Representatives for Mervyn's did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Target and Mervyn's have banned the kettle collectors altogether. Safeway has cut back the number of days that Salvation Army collectors can stand in front of its supermarkets this holiday season.

That means the loss of big money. Donations to the kettle pots, a tradition that started in San Francisco in 1891 with a crab pot at the foot of Market Street, accounted for $93 million nationwide last year.

In response to the ban by Target and Mervyn's, other retailers have called to offer their storefront locations to the kettle ringers.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bells; mervyns; salvationarmy; target
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-90 next last
To: Coop
FOR THE LAST DAMN TIME, Target is NOT a French company. Urban legend. It is based in Minneapolis.
41 posted on 12/02/2004 9:28:36 AM PST by Xenalyte (Lord, I apologize . . . and be with the starving pygmies in New Guinea amen.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: L98Fiero

Hell, I'd take the storefront beggars any day over the busy-intersection beggars. They drive me NUTS. They don't even pretend to want to wash my windshield anymore - they just beg. Get a JOB!


42 posted on 12/02/2004 9:29:51 AM PST by Xenalyte (Lord, I apologize . . . and be with the starving pygmies in New Guinea amen.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

Wow in one fowl swoop target has managed to alienate the leftists of San Fran, and the conservatives of the red states.... Real smart decision making Target (pronounced Tar - Jay)


43 posted on 12/02/2004 9:32:37 AM PST by HamiltonJay ("You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: L98Fiero

Target is a private company, they can allow anyone they want to collect money.


44 posted on 12/02/2004 9:34:01 AM PST by escapefromboston (manny ortez: mvp)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: MEGoody

You know, we consider ourselves capitalists, where corporations take decisions for the sake of the corporation. This is what Target had to do, took a decision which made them NOT liable because of idiots out there upset if they were going to give preferential treatment to Salvation Army but instead offered them funds in a different way (grants). I've been volunteering to SA for many years now and been a donor for longer so by no means I am defending Target. All I am saying is that they were forced to take an unfortunate decision where they were not in a situation where they would have been sued. Blame that on greedy lawyers and liberal organizations like ACLU who would have enjoyed having Target for breakfast if they would have only allowed SA on premises. Target has supported many charitable organizations in my community so I was extremely surprised when I first heard the story. It is your right to boycott Target, however I am wondering if the money you would have spent there is going to be dropped in a SA kettle instead! Many decide to boycott Target yet so many more do nothing when it comes to donations.


45 posted on 12/02/2004 9:40:49 AM PST by Quinotto
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Xenalyte

I know where it's based. You need to relax a bit. It's a play on the rather infamous "Tarjay" pronunciation.


46 posted on 12/02/2004 9:43:50 AM PST by Coop (In memory of a true hero - Pat Tillman)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

the only thing is......they are annoying IMO....although I hate to see them banned....


47 posted on 12/02/2004 9:43:55 AM PST by cherry
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Moral Hazard
I've always found those bell ringers annoying

Check your ego at the door or you will not advance. Only will remain frustrated and selfish.

48 posted on 12/02/2004 9:50:01 AM PST by dennisw (G_D: Against Amelek for all generations)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Moral Hazard
Kinda bugs you when the Salvation Army sends a bell ringer to say "God bless you" when you've done nothing to deserve it doesn't it?

It bugged people when God sent his Son to say the same thing.

49 posted on 12/02/2004 9:52:14 AM PST by Mr. Lucky
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Quinotto
"You know, we consider ourselves capitalists, where corporations take decisions for the sake of the corporation."

Yep, and in this case, the corporation made a decision I didn't agree with, and so, I'm taking my business elsewhere. That's part of capitalism as well. :)

50 posted on 12/02/2004 9:53:40 AM PST by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 45 | View Replies]

To: SmithL

I avoid locations with bell ringers. That's why I stick to Costco, Sams Club, Guitar Center (Hey, I'm a musician) and online buying. They cannot successfully "shame" me into giving, and that is the only reason I would give money to ANYBODY on the street.

This aint India.

I applaud these stores.


51 posted on 12/02/2004 9:54:28 AM PST by RobRoy (Science is about "how." Christianity is about "why.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mike Bates
"Like most papers, the Trib prints corrections."

Unless it was directly challenged by the individual being quoted, I doubt the Chicago Trib would go out of their way to make a correction. You have to presume the man quoted read the quote AND cared enough to challenge it.

52 posted on 12/02/2004 9:55:11 AM PST by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: cspackler

>>I'm sorry that I annoyed you.<<

Your apology is accepted. 8^>


53 posted on 12/02/2004 9:57:12 AM PST by RobRoy (Science is about "how." Christianity is about "why.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Coop

A little over reaction to his point, I believe.


54 posted on 12/02/2004 9:58:26 AM PST by RobRoy (Science is about "how." Christianity is about "why.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Coop
Yes, I can't count the number of times I've been tackled and even had my wallet stolen from me by those annoying bell ringers.

They shoot at you too. With high-caliber pistols. Even shotguns sometimes.

(sarcasm OFF)

55 posted on 12/02/2004 9:59:43 AM PST by asgardshill (November 2004 - The Month That Just Kept On Giving)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Lucky

I find it amazing how people can assume so much about me based solely on my dislike of people standing in front of stores ringing bells. Isn't it possible that I simply find it annoying because I don't like people standing in front of stores an ringing bells? Or for that matter people standing in front of stores and soliciting for anything at all?


56 posted on 12/02/2004 10:01:32 AM PST by Moral Hazard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Moral Hazard

No, it's not possible.


57 posted on 12/02/2004 10:03:05 AM PST by Mr. Lucky
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Getready

You're right about Dayton Hudson owning both. Worked at a major sportswear company here in the NW for a number of years (NOT Nike), and all the purchase orders, etc., were Dayton Hudson. Plus, I had to comply with Letters of Credit from Target (talk about a FREAKING NIGHTMARE), and it's all under the Dayton Hudson banner.

Mama


58 posted on 12/02/2004 10:10:16 AM PST by Mama Shawna
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Xenalyte

Of course they're French. Why do you think they pronounce it TAR-jhay?
;)


59 posted on 12/02/2004 10:11:28 AM PST by SmithL
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: RobRoy
A little over reaction to his point, I believe.

You mean like this?

They cannot successfully "shame" me into giving, and that is the only reason I would give money to ANYBODY on the street. This ain't India

60 posted on 12/02/2004 10:24:10 AM PST by Coop (In memory of a true hero - Pat Tillman)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-90 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson