Target to give Salvation Army $1 million but won’t allow ringers

Target Corp. is slipping $1 million into the Salvation Army’s kettle, but it still won’t allow the familiar holiday bell-ringers in front of its stores.

This will be the third year that Minneapolis-based Target has banned the bell-ringers from its stores. But Salvation Army spokeswoman Melissa Temme said other changes could make up much of the $9 million the charity used to raise each year in front of Target stores.

Besides the cash donation, Target will donate profit from a $9.99 Salvation Army ornament that is hitting store shelves this week, Temme said. It will also put a link on its website to accept Salvation Army donations.

Target stopped allowing Salvation Army bell-ringers in 2004 to make its policy against fundraising at its stores consistent. It also wanted to spare shoppers the potential discomfort of being asked for donations.