Target puts halt to holiday bell ringers

Jacqui Brown

For the needy, a few coins can make a huge difference between whether

or not there is food on the plate this holiday season.

The Salvation Army has red kettles throughout the city at Ralphs,

Vons, Pavilions, Walgreens, Fry’s Electronics, Kmart, Albertsons and

Mervyn’s, which on Thursday announced it would allow the red kettles

back at its doors after new private owners realized the loss it would

mean to the charity.

The kettles are manned by volunteers who ring the bells

ceaselessly during the holiday season in hopes that shoppers will be

generous enough to help the needy as they shop for their holiday

gifts.

Target stores across the U.S. have reinstated their

no-solicitation policy banning all solicitors from their door,

including the Salvation Army’s red kettle. Paula Thornton-Greear,

spokeswoman for Target, said that their decision was not made

lightly.

“Our goal was to make the policy so that it applies consistently

to all organizations and across all of our stores,” Thornton-Greear

said. “The number of solicitation inquiries from nonprofit

organizations and other groups has been steadily increasing each

year. We determined that if we continue to allow the Salvation Army

to solicit then it opens the door to any other group that wishes to

solicit our guests.”

Target notified the Salvation Army of this decision in January,

well in advance of the holiday season, specifically so the

organization would have time to find alternative fundraising sources.

“We value our relationship with the organization and look forward

to working with them in the future,” Thornton-Greear said. “Target

has demonstrated a long-time commitment to contribute to the

communities we serve -- a commitment that now results in

contributions of more than $2 million every week -- more than $100

million a year.”

Many shoppers had mixed reactions, saying either they were unaware

of the ban or they didn’t care either way.

Carol Gallagher had not yet heard about the ban and was

disappointed enough to consider changing her shopping habits. In

fact, Gallagher is a volunteer bell ringer with the Bellarmine-

Jefferson High School program so she’s well aware of the need to

raise the kettle funds.

“I don’t think it hurts Target in any way whatsoever to support

them,” Gallagher said. “To support them when they’re out here is

sometimes the only way people have the opportunity to donate.”

Julienn Willes couldn’t believe it when she read about the ban.

Her first reaction was to call up the store and tell them it’s not

right.

“It’s a tradition, it’s always there so you expect it -- it’s

synonymous with Christmas,” Willes said. “I feel sad that they’re not

doing it and, in particular, Target, because I love this store. When

I’m here, I can drop a little something into the kettle.”

Beginning today, the National Clergy Council is asking its 5,000

Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant clergy members and

30,000 lay delegates in all 50 states to use their influence to

persuade their congregations to suspend holiday shopping at Target.

The council requested a meeting with Target Corporate Executive

Director Bob Ulrich because of the ban that they say will cost the

Army $9 million, but Ulrich did not respond within the 48-hour

deadline, according to Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National

Clergy Council.

He said their plans are to continue the Target boycott, which has

now been named “Operation Teach- Scrooge-A-Lesson” until the store

changes it policy and the Salvation Army bell ringers and their red

kettles are brought back to Target stores.

“Target’s bad public relations decision will cause irreparable

harm to the Salvation Army’s unparalleled programs and they should

not be rewarded for such Scrooge-like policies,” Schenck said. “This

is not about being vindictive, it’s about teaching proper moral and

civic responsibility to corporations that make bad public policy

decisions.”

Bob Davis, manager of the Empire Avenue Target in Burbank said

they have not seen any adverse affects.

“A lot of our guests will comment either way, some that want it

back and some that say they want to shop and not have people outside

asking for things,” Davis said. “We made the decision to do it and

we’ll stand by it.”

Handy Market in Burbank has also withdrawn from the red kettle

program after 10 years due to safety reasons, according to store

owner Alan Arzoian.

“I faxed them a letter more than a month ago explaining that the

parking lot has become so congested with pallets and the big barbecue

and the way people turn left into the lot I was worried someone may

get hurt,” Arzoian said.

“I support all the civic clubs, the temporary aid center, family

services and I want to support the Salvation Army, but with insurance

the way it is now, if one thing happens it’s over.”

Arzoian said had no idea until very recently that Target had

dropped the kettles.

“I would be happy to give them a donation in lieu of the kettle.”

Representatives of the Burbank Salvation Army were not available

for comment.