Salvation Army lady collecting money and I ask her "Do you save wicked women?"
"Yes we do"
"Well, can you save one for me this Saturday please?"

Thank you for posting this. I've been aware of their cult for a long time and forget that others may not be. They're a horrible, self-serving religious organization that's managed to make their presence synonymous with holiday spirit. It would be nice if that changed.

I only give to a few local charities where I can see any good they do. I do not give to the Salvation Army. The bell ringers are there to guilt trip people. In some of my early work places including the military we were told to donate during the United Way drive. They needed to be recognized for 100% participation. The UW knew this was going on and did not try to stop these mandatory contributions. I did donate cash to the American Red Cross after 9/11, but nothing national since.

While I understand even in charities a CEO & management must have a salary to pay bills and such, however, when I read where this charity CEO/president was earning $600k per year....kinda makes you sick. Simple math of 6,000 people donating $100 each....not one red cent will go to help anyone except a CEO earn a very comfortable living. If you enjoy donating to someone who makes over 10x the average mans working salary of $60k per year....feel free to donate away...I prefer to give directly to those in need where I know someone who needs assistance gets help.

Nope. I do very little charitable giving.

I never give to the SA. We donate directly to the regional food bank. They can buy food in bulk quantities and then pass it down to the local food pantries.

Years ago when I was in a bind I went to a local office and the woman was awful to me because I was single and didn't have kids. Last week I gave a woman food, , she was grateful and I knew where the money went.

There are online organizations that rate charities including the percentage of money that goes directly to those in need.

I have no time for religious bullies, thugs and deceivers masquerading as being of benefit to society.

Nope..like you I gave..read about their horrifyingly atrocious track record on human dignity..they are a perfect expression of Kkkristian Hypocrisy..

I never gave to the Salvation Army specifically because it was a religious organization. When I was getting my AA in Addiction Studies, I had to go to various 12 step groups as a part of my education. The Salvation Army had a lot of disgruntled persons who had gone through their "recovery program". I've never heard about people actually being helped by the organization.

Anyway, there are much better organizations that will make better use of the money. My favorite location to attend recovery groups was the AT (Alcoholics Together) Center in Silver Lake (Los Angeles). They catered mostly to the LGBT+ population, were much more flexible about how to define a "higher power" and the people were generally a lot more friendly and accepting. I left some money with them, as they were more oriented towards helping people.

If you give to a charity this holiday season, I'd recommend the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). Their efforts definitely are to help make a better world.

As charities go the Salvation Army actually has people in it with rank like in the Army and they started out well except that they also wanted to "save your soul." If you ever talk to anyone on the inside this is a very mixed up organization today.

In the UK they claimed for many years to be a major help to the homeless. A few years ago the BBC ran a documentary on shelters for the homeless. In which they sent people round to rate the provisions for quality, and the Salvation Army came out bottom, little more than barns where you could lie on pallets side by side.

there are heart-tugging pitches but i don't donate anywhere because i don't know on what the money would be spent.

I used to give them money probably because I wanted to help the homeless which they really don't help.

They shove religion down the throats of homeless people, then charge them $$ for a bed for the night in their shelter.

Yeah, never had a good feeling about them and don't remember ever giving them any money. But one place that most would think was started by, and based on a religious ideology but is not, is St. Judes Children's Hospital. Danny Thomas (the actor) started it and named it after the patron saint of hospitals, but they don't use any religious ideologies within the ranks or practices of the organization, so they say. [answers.com]
I've donated to them before, and will again. Anyone that gives that much to sick children deserves some kudos.

I'd love to drop something in the pot, but it's not money.

Glad to ignore them, guilt-free. As a rule, I never donate to any charity when solicited. I choose charities and donate only on my own initiative.

Thanks for the link. I didn't like them before for their noisy guilt-tripping. However, their beliefs and values fully encompass the hate-mongering for which the Evangelicals are notorious. Sucks to be them. I think I'll mention I gave to Planned Parenthood when I'm confronted.

Thanks Julie, very informative. I never give to anyone who is ringing bells, or otherwise panhandling, because I only give to charities I already have researched and then either give online or by mailing them a check, not spontaneously giving in person. I also find it annoying that they and other charities hang around outside stores, often enlisting children to assist them and add to the appeals to your guilt and conscience to give to them. Same with boy scouts, girl scouts, veterans groups, and Shriners. etc.

In recent years, the only charities I have given to have been a local food bank, public radio in my state, and Planned Parenthood. Nothing else either appeals to my values or seems legit and valuable enough in their service to justify it on my part. And I sure as hell won't donate to the Dem Party, since for all I know, most of it might end up just going to help elect more corporate Dems to congress..

Already aware. The Red Cross is also not all it's cracked up to be. People don't listen, though.

Thank you Julie, it's good to be reminded of this, and no, I don't give them any money. It's such a racket for the evangelical Christian church.

In Australia there are no red kettle Salvation Army people in front of stores that I have ever seen. I volunteer for them in one of their shops I have also seen first hand where the money goes, and I can tell you that it goes to good causes. None of the people who are Salvation Army people earn huge salaries. None of them have fancy cars. The money goes to help in disaster areas, addiction, help with electricity bills, help with food, counselling services, budget services, etc, etc. During my 15 year involvement with them Never ever has any Salvation Army person said to me anything about god or anything about going to church, never. But perhaps Salvation Army is different in the US then in Australia.

Mostly what I see here is a bunch of cheap dickwads using bullshit arguments to justify their selfishness.