Should I give to Salvation Army?

[ZombieNixon]

Poll question: Should I give to Salvation Army?

I have something of a dilemma. I am, by nature, a very generous person. Whenever I see a homeless person standing on the side of the road, I try to pull over and give him a dollar or something. Now it's the Christmas season, AKA the time when the Salvation Army stands outside the grocery store with their buckets and bells. So whenever I exit Safeway or wherever, I always have some loose change. My initial impulse is to drop a quarter in the SA bucket, because I know they do some good stuff, but then I seem to remeber they have Repuke connections or support anti-gay measures, so I don't, and keep my change.

What do you guys think I should do? To drop or not to drop (a coin in the bucket, I mean)?

Please explain your answer.

[prolesunited]

1. How about other?

Find a different charity in your area and give the same amount (or more) that you would have given to the SA. You can still be generous, but direct it in a way that better aligns with your values and beliefs.

[Starlight]

9. There are plenty of other charities.

Why give to one with questionable motivations? :shrug: If you want to be sure 100% of your donation goes to the homeless, buy some blankets or sweaters or socks or fast food gift certificates and give them out to homeless people yourself.

[imenja]

2. concern for the poor outweighs political differences

if you decide you don't want to give to them, send that money to another organization that helps the poor. If you don't think you'll get around to doing that, drop it in the Salvation army bucket.

[Padraig18]

3. Catholic Charities does not discriminate.

They do all sorts of good things, including running a pharmaceutical program for low-income people and seniors.

[barb162]

31. I have heard they do good things, but then again the Catholic

church is one of the most anti-woman groups in existence. And let's not forget the poedophile priests

[AngryOldDem]

33. Oh for God's sake

The Catholic Church does a lot of charity work both here in the U.S. and worldwide. It helps with refugee settlement, trade issues, homelessness, food banks, health programs, housing...they do just as much if not more than most other non-profit organizations. I have personally been involved with most of the list I just posted above.

Get over the pedophile priests already, as well as the anti-woman argument. To many Catholics, like myself, it has become cliche and boring. Yes, we know the Church has problems. But as we work on those problems we are also carrying out Christ's command to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Please educate yourself:

Catholic Relief Services (worldwide): http://www.catholicrelief.org/

Catholic Social Services (domestic) is geared toward indivdual communities, and many have their own Websites. Do a Google.

[LittleClarkie]

4. Do more research

If you only seem to remember connections, perhaps it was another organization. Look them up.

What was that website again? Can I remember? Let me see if I can find it for you.

Otherwise, I KNOW they do good work. My sister worked for them, and I've seen their operation in the inner city when I dropped of some stuff that belonged to my dad.

[LittleClarkie]

7. Here's one article

I already knew they are a church (no duh) so wailing that they are selling themselves as a charity while being a church seemed like hair-splitting to me. Yeah, churches do charity work. So?

But to read that 90% of their money doesn't go to help the poor, that they have almost no employee benefits and other bits in this article are worrying.

I found another article, but it seemed to be centering on New Zealand, and so didn't seem relevant to us. It wasn't a good review either though, and was strange because it kept refering to the Salvation Army as Salvationists. There's something about putting "ist" at the end of a word that make it sound vaguely sinister.

http://www.ronaldbrucemeyer.com/rants/0705almanac.htm

By the way, to look up donations from organizations to political parties, go to www.opensecrets.org.

[theshadow]

15. Where do you get this idea....

... that "90% of their money doesn't help the poor"? According to the Better Business Bureau, the Salvation Army meets their standards for charities, which among other things requires a minimum of 65% goes to their programs.

http://www.give.org/reports/sa.asp

The SA itself states that 84% of its expenditures went to helping people.
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org and click on "Financial".

[Walt Starr]

5. I used to always drop a bill and some change into the pot, until...

they outted themselves as the bigotted bastards they are. I haven;t donated a ime to the SA or the BSA in years now.

[barbaraann]

6. Read the Salvation Army "Articles of War" and then decide.

ARTICLES OF WAR

SIGNED BY ALL SALVATION ARMY SOLDIERS

Having received with all my heart the Salvation offered to me by the tender mercy of God, I do here and now acknowledge God the Father to be my King; God the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to be my Saviour; and God the Holy Spirit to be my Guide, Comforter and Strength; and I will, by His help, love, serve, worship, and obey this glorious God through time and through eternity.

Believing that The Salvation Army has been raised up by God, and is sustained and directed by Him, I do here declare that I am thoroughly convinced of the truth of the Army's teaching, that is to say:

1. I believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God and that they only constitute the divine rule of Christian faith and practice.
2. I believe that there is only one God, who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver and Governor of all things and who is the only proper object of religious worship.
...

http://home.inreac.com/jdcard/artclwar.htm

[tedzbear]

8. They are glad to take my money even though they preach that I am evil.

And that's what I tell them when they ring their fucking bell at me.

[Skittles]

10. it disappointed me so much when I heard about their homophobia

I would have thought a charity like them would be above behaving in such a disgusting manner.

[Placebo]

11. Exactly.

[theshadow]

18. I've looked at their web page...

... and all I see is that their doctrine doesn't accept homosexuality. They do not discriminate in their ministry (okay, that's probably gratuitous) or in providing service.

By the way, a lot of the bellringers are just volunteers and not even members of the SA.

[jesusq]

12. Donate to the Blue State Army

We need whatever loose coins and spare ammo you might have on hand.

[donheld]

13. NO

Keep your money and give it to a group that is not going to beat the bible and discriminate.

[AngryOldDem]

14. It's your money...

...do what you will with it.

All I know is the SA in my city helps enormously to feed poor families as well as help them find and get settled in transitional housing programs. They also help recovering addicts and paroled men re-establish themselves in society by providing halfway housing (a step toward permanent housing, and job searches. They also provide jobs for many people who otherwise would be out of work.

They are one of only two organizations that are in the forefront of helping the poor and the homeless in my area...a segment of the population that has grown tremendously during the past year. I am actively involved with the other group, and I can honestly say that I do not think the needy in my area could be served without the existence of the SA. I know there is no way my organization could not possibly go it alone, without the presence of SA.

Repuke, anti-gay, whatever you want to call them...I really don't care. What I do care about are giving people food and a roof over their heads and a second chance at life.

But, it's your money...I trust that if you do decide to pass the kettle by you will find another organization to donate to that meets your ideology -- and that's all I ask of anyone here who can't stand the SA. If you have a problem with its organization, please don't take it out on those who are most in need of the many services SA provides.

[theshadow]

16. I agree with you.

They show up after a natural disaster or a fire, and help both the victims and the emergency services workers. They don't ask what their religion is and they don't preach. They just help. I volunteered to ring a bell twice this season, and I'm not even a Christian.

[ThorsHammer]

23. Agreed; they also do good work with the Boys and Girls Club (nt)

[AngryOldDem]

25. Good to know the Boys and Girls Clubs still exist...

...in my town they've both been shut down...why? The proverbial lack of funding. That means kids who had someplace to go after school, as well as place to go for hot meals, are shut out. My city used to have two B/G Clubs; the last one shut down not too long ago, putting an additional burden on another community center nearby that has its own head barely above financial water.

As I said in another post...if the government won't help and the private sector won't help, what is left? Mostly religous-based groups that take seriously the command to help the needy.

[ThorsHammer]

30. Yes, they do great work too, and (IMO) don't seem religious/bigotted

I went to one when I was younger, and volunteer a few times a week there now, and have found them to be one of the better organizations out there. While they are part of the Salvation Army (which I admittedly don't know as much about), which many here dislike, I haven't seen any signs of bigotry, anti-gay, or other questionable motivations from the B&GC. If they didn't have the title "Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club", I would have never guessed they were connected to a religious group, as I haven't seen any religious activity at the ones where I have been/helped out at. I give both time and money to my local B&GC, as they do a lot of great work by giving kids a place to go after school, helping them with homework, providing meals, setting up sports leagues and so on.

[AngryOldDem]

32. I didn't know they were part of the Salvation Army

Here, they were more or less independent, which in the end is probably what doomed them. I think they got United Way funding, but UW has been on hard times here -- if groups can't get other sources of money, they're in trouble.

The B/G Clubs here did what yours does. I have no idea where the kids are going now.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Adopt a family

That's what my family does. Then you know who is getting your help and where your money is going. I don't trust many charities. You never know how much of your donation actually reaches the people who need it and how much ends up as 'administrative expenses'.

And don't give those homeless people money!! I have worked in the inner city of a large metro area for 25 years and am very familiar with these guys who stand on the corner with the signs asking for money. Most are alcoholics or drug addicts supporting a habit. If you don't believe me, drive to the nearest liquor store after you see one of these guys and check out who is buying stuff in that store. Most communities have shelters for homeless people. They have food pantries and warm beds for them. These guys do not need to stand on the corner begging. Sure, some may be really needy but my experience has taught me that the majority are scam artists. When you see the same guys at the same corners for years on end, you realize they must be making a pretty good living or they wouldn't be there day after day after day.

[Endangered Specie]

19. Are you sure abbreviating them "SA" is a good idea?

actually... it just might be.

answer: give it to someone else.

[DireStrike]

20. Give to fact based charities. Preaching to the needy is extortion.

[AngryOldDem]

22. What is a "fact-based" charity?

The needy people the Salvation Army and other groups help are, for the most part, damned grateful that there are still groups around willing to lend a hand.

If government won't help, if the private sector won't help, who is left?

If you don't want religious organizations to serve the poor at the community level by providing direct assistance, then find some other group that will. And good luck in your search.

(By the way, in my time spent working with the homeless, I have noticed that they are some of the most faith-filled people I have ever met. They almost have to be, given the many knocks they've gotten in this life -- for some, their faith is truly their lifeline. So don't insult them further by assuming that they are being "extorted" or "held captive" if they happen to hear a sermon as they eat their soup. Most may well welcome it.)

[Seneca]

21. I understand the dilemma

But perhaps the best solution is to step outside of the either/or equation and directly involve yourself in the charitable process.

For example, bring blankets to a homeless shelter. Serve food at a soup kitchen. Donate clothes to needy families. Buy toys for children without.

The dilemma of the red bucket is understandable, but supposedly they are reliable with what they do with the money, and innocent folks in need this time of year shouldn't be punished for the deeds of the charity in-between.

Still, if you are unable to resolve that dilemma, just do among what I suggested, and you become your own middleperson. :hi:

[LunaC]

24. Dad's a retired Fire Battalion Chief in Chicago

When his men had icicles hanging from their helmets while fighting fires in the winter he said the Salvation Army was always there for them with hot coffee and sandwiches. That counts for something in my book. I give 'em my change......

[noonwitch]

26. They are willing to help people that everyone else has given up on

SA runs many programs in my community (metro Detroit).

They run several homeless shelters, a teen-pregnancy program, a substance abuse treatment program, a shelter for abused and neglected women, free clothing and food programs, etc.

I have never heard of them turning anyone away for any reason. If you are a single gay in need of a homeless shelter, well, they probably won't put you in one with families, but they will still find you a bed somewhere warm.

Drop a coin in the bucket. It'll help your local community. If you feel guilty, give money to a gay charity, too.

[samtob]

27. I make it a point to contribute every trip to the store.

There is only one grocery store here that allows the bell ringers to stand in front (well ok, two if you count Walmart super center).

I make a point to hand money to my kids to put in the bucket every time (three times a week usually).

Last week, day before pay day, two days after a $1,700 dentist visit (I was feeling broke and poor) I gave each of the kids a dollar bill instead of change. My seven year old said "I thought you said you were broke" (careful what you say out loud) I told him, "When you think you do not have enough to give, is the time you should give the most" I am sure it was lost on him due to his age, but if I say it enough, and stress contributions enough, maybe it will stick to them into adulthood.

[Ilsa]

28. I'm giving to my denomination's children home.

I'm giving to the Presbyterian Children's Homes, as I've done for years now. They help out alot of kids.

I'm sure there are many charities you might prefer over SA. I don't mind dropping a few coins in the kettle, but I won't be sending checks. A few years ago they declined to accept a gift of money won in a lottery because they thought it was immoral.

[Bluebear]

29. Give them the enclosed coupon, an IOU when they stop their anti-gay ways

[Tony_Illinois]

34. Salvation Army Fights Gay Benefits In New York City

The Salvation Army is threatening to close soup kitchens for tens of thousands of New York’s homeless and walk away from other projects if the city enacts legislation requiring firms that do business with New York to offer health benefits to the partners of gay staffers.

The evangelical faith is prepared to give up the $70 million a year in city funding it receives and pull out of New York entirely the New York Post reports.

<http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/05/052404salArm.htm>

I cannot give to these people under these circumstances.