Salvation Army reports steep drop in Portland donations
How you can help The Salvation Army:
- Drop extra change in your local Kettle. There are about 150 locations across the Metro area.
- Create an Online Red Kettle! Visit www.OnlineRedKettle.org to create your own kettle, set a goal, and share with your friends.
- Donate food. Non-perishable food donations are always needed, especially right now as families are looking for help with their Christmas dinner. Find your local food bank (Corps).
- Make a financial contribution. Donate online or mail a check to The Salvation Army, Attn: Development, 8495 SE Monterey Avenue, Happy Valley, OR 97086-7844.
The Salvation Army is a church. I don't give because I don't want to give money to any church. I will support nonprofits that do work that fits with my beliefs. If they serve the poor, but they also are anti-gay or racists or demean women, then I will find a charity that doesn't have those problems. Lots of good agencies out there that don't have those problems.
 @NWGuy Yes I couldn't agree more. I donate and do work with a few organizations here. They really need the help.
I have no problem with them supposedly discriminating against gays. Â I do it and nothing will change that. Â Why? Â Because I am a normal person and don't like those who aren't, and you can't be more abnormal than a gay person. Â But, possibly the reason for donations being down in Portland is that there are so many panhandlers, deadbeats and worthless street kids, there aren't many working people left who can give.
 @boomer WOW. I thought people here were a little more open minded than that. What a disappointment. One thing I have noticed, your comment is one of two of the ONLY negative comments here. Looks like you might be quite alone in your fight. Be well. As for your homophobia, maybe you should take a look in your own closet. Its was proven in a study a few years ago that most, if not all homophobic people that too part in the study got aroused when they were showed gay porn. Got something to tell us there Boomer Boy?
It's because they actively speak out on their stance on gay marriage. We already know that the Salvation Army takes your taxpayer funds to hire people, engaging in hiring discrimination against Gays, non-Christians and even Christians whose denomination it doesnât like. And we already know that the Salvation Army, after taking taxpayer funds, has hired lobbyists to try to get laws passed that restrict the rights of gay and lesbian people to get married. All this behavior was supported by $332 million of your federal taxpayer dollars last year alone.
If they stopped ringing bells constantly in my face every time I walk into a store, I might give something. Instead they decide to be the most annoying part of my money. I would even give some change if they would stop ringing the bell for 10 seconds, but no, they just keep ringing that damn bell.
correction: "most annoying part of the holidays."
I CHOOSE NOT TO DONATE TO A BIGOTED ORGANIZATION that promotes hate and discrimination against my GLBT brothers and sisters. Â There are plenty of other fantastic non-profits who welcome all in our society! Â Donate to them instead!
I used to donate quite a bit to various charities when I had the money. Now I'm pretty poor, work and go to school so don't have time to volunteer like I used to, and donate significantly less. I suspect that is the problem for many charities, there are more people to serve and fewer to donate.
Maybe KATU could have done a little more work to encourage people to donate. Â Maybe include stats on the SA's charity rating, what they do for the less fortunate, why they might be experience such a "steep drop" (or what that means even), how other charities are faring this year.
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I don't think FINDING the SA to donate is the issue here. Â How about some more info, KATU?
They're many reasons for poor donations. Â I'm just how other charities are doing? Â
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I've been unemployed for a month and I try to drop extra change in their bucket and I've donated some food this year, but not as much as I did in the past. Â Even if you don't believe in the faith of the Salvation Army, please believe in the good they do.
One of the reasons more than likely is because of the uncertainty of what is going to happen after the 1st of the year with the tax situation.
We give DIRECTLY to needy people....
I refuse to donate to the SA because they don't accept money that comes from gambling winnings. A guy several years ago won the lottery and tried to donate to hem, but for that reason they turned it down. So screw them.
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 @SerenityWowz Same here. Can't support an organization that's so blatantly discriminatory against my LGBT friends & neighbors. I know that Salvation Army does a lot of good work, and you're right about their operational efficiency ... but I can't support an openly biased charity. I hope that the thoughtful withholding of funds in Portland, as well as the progressive marriage initiatives in WA and the upcoming SC case, will help them come around to a less judgmental approach to helping those in need. As far as I'm concerned, this is like supporting an awesome charity that refuses to be inclusive of Filipinos, or Taoists, or left handed people. I wouldn't be cool with that either. I don't know why one of the unbreakable tenants of "salvation" has to be heterosexuality. Paul said a lot of stupid things that modern Christians don't agree with. Somehow this is the one sticking point, over and over. Ironically a lot of Christian women speak out against gays -- ironic because Paul basically told women to shut up and sit down and keep their opinions to themselves. But that's not one of the points we should focus on. Especially when someone like Victoria Jackson is ranting & raving. lol
@SerenityWowz Question, how would they know you're gay? They are a Christian based entity. Hmm, seems like something there should be obvious..... ;)Â
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I'll have to agree with you on those bells! They can make my skin crawl. I give to S.A. because they helped me when no one else would. Goodwill literally escorted me from their office when they saw on my application for assistance that I attempted suicide once. Salvation Army required no application. I spent a Thanksgiving under the Burnside bridge but they made sure my belly was full and I had a coat and a blanket. I owe them!
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All the local charities are low on everything this year! The economy has really hurt everyone I know. I salute you for your generousity! There are several charities that need our help, so we need to choose since we don't have wealth as an ally! Our choice is that too, our choice! Have a Merry Christmas!
 @MickRoh Read my comment above. Have a Merry Christmas!
Here around this area, I drop in a few bucks..So that other less fortunate then I can have something for Christmas.
I just got back from a trip to the donation center by my house after feeling guilty from my first post in knowing I could do better, they helped me when I was on the street! After I dropped off a dozen heavy shirts, some Levi's that are waiting for me to lose weight, and a hunting coat that would survive our worst weather, the guy asked me if I wanted a receipt..... That's not donating! That's selling it and making our over-burdened government pay for it by reducing your taxes! A donation is GIVING without expectation of return.
 @MickRoh Do you need an oxygen mask? You are up pretty high on that horse.
I also gave them a large grocery bag full of box potato dinners and Mac & Cheese! I'll now challenge Portland to beat me! I honestly gave 10% of one month's income if you were to valuate it out. And it was so easy, I just opened my closets and pantry.
Drop extra change in your local Kettle. There are about 150 locations across the Metro area.
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That a main reason, I'm pretty sure they had lots more before. I'm guessing more stores aren't letting them set up shop. Also, they are pushing for more "Volunteers" then paying min wage instead.
I'm always happy to drop a few bucks into the red kettle, and twice that if I hear "Merry Christmas" rather than the PC 'happy holidays'. As for the other donations, I'm out. I used to be able to donate to most any local organisation that would ask. Not any more. My business is down 75% from Nov. 2007 and I give all credit to Obama. With him in power for the next four years, I expect no change for the better in the economy. Thanks Obama. Donations are drying up because of your ideology. Â
 @last boyscout HAHAHAHA!!! Good one.
Evidently the majority of Americans believe that it's the governments job to take care of every possible need or desire the people have, so they have stopped donating in lieu of paying taxes.
This is not good! Come on Portland! Spend a couple of dollars while you are shopping and drop some food or clothes off! Go through that closet and donate the stuff you know you will not miss! I know Buffalo Exchange is buying that stuff but there are plenty of people who could actually need it. Out of all the charities going, the Salvation Army is the one that really puts what they get out to those in need, and they do it without any hoops to jump through! They operate by the true definition of "charity". I am on a very tight budget with few extras and I give to them at least once a month! Anything you don't use that is in good working condition or any non-parishable food items help! A true Santa gives without expecting return. It's called "CARING" and that is what Christmas is truly about!