Salvation Army

[ctg492]

Ok I know long gone are the days of the Salvation Army uniforms for the bell ringers. I believe many are doing community service. The standard of many of the bell ringers is in the toilet. Yesterday the young lady was covered with a blanket, looking like a pile of mess, no smile, looked absolutely peeved to be there. I for the first time passed by the bucket because of this. On the way out I put my money in to see what kind of response I would get, the event of donating was far from my mind at that moment. I wanted to strike a conversation with her to see IF she knew where the donation went? Why she felt she needed to volunteer? But then I decided it was a waste of breath.

[Gardenarian]

They all look very spic-and-span around here.
A lot of people in San Francisco won't shop at Salvation Army (much less give them money) because of their anti-gay policies. Very few places allow the bell-ringers space anymore.
I don't really have an opinion on it. I am opposed to discrimination based on sexual preference, but they also do good work. And it is their religion.

[ctg492]

Well on one aspect it must be localized, your area salvation army sounds very different.

[Float On]

Around here a lot of the bell ringers are paid. So it's an opportunity for our hotel, camping, or van living crowd to make some money.

[Teacher Terry]

They are all paid here. Although I don't agree with their religious views in regard to gay people I love the organization as a whole. They spend very little of the $ on salaries/staff/offices etc. Most of it go to their programs & salaries are very low. I give them donations all thru the year. They really help the homeless/drug addicts & alcoholics change their lives. They put them to work in their warehouses/stores so they are working for their room/board. It is a 6 month program of staying clean/sober & they hook them up with other agencies to help them too so they can successfully transition from their program.

[IshbelRobertson]

I donate to the SALLY ANN (as they are affectionately known here in the country where they were founded!)

Smart, well turned out and their brass bands at Christmas are tuneful and very affectionately received by most people.

They do sterling work, including tracing lost family members. I am not religious, but feel they deserve my support.

[martha]

I've avoided shopping or otherwise contributing to them for many years because of their anti-LBGT stance. However, my agency's district manager recently asked for volunteers to join her in serving a meal at the local SA, and I did. This location serves 3 hot meals a day to homeless families staying in their shelter, as well as for people living on the street. It was disturbing to see the number of mothers with small children staying in the shelter and bringing the kids in to eat, and the number of people with disabilities among the street folks being fed. The organization is doing good work to meet a need. Am still not comfortable with supporting them, but now am conflicted about it. Aarrgh.