Home Depot Scorns Christian Groups

AFA Alert ^ | 07/28/03 | The Bard

[The Bard]

AFA Activism Current Action Alert - 7/28/2003 Home Depot Scorns Christian Groups "You are a Christian ministry, and we will not donate any funds to any church or Christian ministry." - Home Depot store manager on company policy. E-mail this page to a friend Monday, July 28, 2003

According to Home Depot policy, Christian-based organizations "need not apply" when it comes to requesting donations which benefit the community. That's because Home Depot rejects grant applications if the organization espouses Christianity.

When Special Youth Challenge Ministries (SYC) in Dallas, Georgia, asked its local Home Depot manager for a small contribution to benefit a banquet fundraiser, the manager turned him down. "You are a Christian ministry, and we will not donate any funds to any church or Christian ministry."

SYC national Director Charles Walthour was caught by surprise. "Home Depot has donated to us before, so I was shocked to learn that non-profit groups that are Christian-based are no longer recognized as legitimate organizations," he said.

SYC is a national volunteer ministry that grants requests from terminally ill and handicapped youth in the field of shooting and hunting.

The manager told Walthour if he would remove the word "Ministries" from SYC letterhead, it would reconsider the donation request. Walthour was unwilling to do that, saying, "We will not compromise our faith in order to get something from Home Depot, or anyone else." He said other companies were more than happy to give to SYC, including Home Depot's corporate competitor, Lowe's Home Improvement Center.

Don Wildmon, chairman of American Family Association, says Home Depot's policy is extremely callous toward Christians and churches. "Christians and churches account for the bulk of people-helping ministries in any given town. For some reason, Home Depot has chosen to disregard their importance."

Wildmon says if Home Depot really wants to be a good community-minded citizen, store managers should be given "flexible" funds to support any local organization that helps children in their area.

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[The Bard]

This is my first post in a VERY LONG TIME, so I hope it come across okay. I would recomment contacting Home depot on this.

[sinkspur]

Home Depot can donate money to whomever they wish.

Do they give money to Jewish ministries? If they did, that would be discriminatory.

No business has to give money to any charity, if it chooses not to.

I'll still shop at Home Depot. I take care of my own charity.

[LiteKeeper]

Is this a case of applying the bogus "separation of church and slate" principle?

[RobbyS]

Why the change in policy? Further, why state conditions for donation? Are they getting the Boy Scout treatment from the corporation?

[bird4four4]

What about those PFLAG donations two years ago by Home Depot. What if the manager said he would not donate to any group with 'gay' in their title? Lawsuits would fly and this would be national news. But its no big deal if they disciminate against 'ministries'. I was so glad when Lowes moved into town.

[The Bard]

Home Depot can donate money to whomever they wish.

Do they give money to Jewish ministries? If they did, that would be discriminatory.

No business has to give money to any charity, if it chooses not to.

I'll still shop at Home Depot. I take care of my own charity.

I agree that Home Depot (or any business in general) can give or not give to wholever they wish. I also agree in the principle of giving to the Charities I support.

I believe that the issue can be made that this is discriminatory. The Article clearly shows that in the past, Home Depot had donated funds. From the way the article reads, it appears that Home Depot can has decided to focus on Christain groups:

"You are a Christian ministry, and we will not donate any funds to any church or Christian ministry."

"...that non-profit groups that are Christian-based are no longer recognized as legitimate organizations."

These lines from the article point that it is focused at Christians. Any other non-profit organization appears to be acceptable.

I have sent a letter to Home Depot on this. I await their answer. Depending on the answer I receive (or lack of answer), I may or may not continue doing business with them.

[Commander8]

Well, Home Depot does have freedom of association, and so do I. I think I'll tell the management what I think and then take my business to to Orchard Supply Hardware, or better yet, support the mom and pop operation that's six blocks from where I live.

[Bellflower]

So much for home depot and emailing this to others too. Also plan on calling my local one and letting them know.

[DittoJed2]

Usually in these cases it is some rogue manager making this move. Corporations rarely have this kind of policy. Try another Home Depot and see what they say.

[Blessed]

It is not disrimination for them to give to the groups they prefer. It is poor public relations and it is a window into the company.The founders of Home Depot are both Jewish. They provide funds for a number of civic causes

I think it is very short sighted not to help with a project like World Changers or some other building project that benefits the poor even if it is Christian sponsored.