national community relations secretary, The Salvation Army.
co-founder, The Giving Effect, a website that connects non-profit organizations with people who have things to donate.
president and CEO, Goodwill Industries International.
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Comments
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I contribute regularly to a number of charities including Episcopal Relief and Development, The National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMIj) FINCA, OXFAM, Heifer Project, Habitat for Humanity, my church, etc. I get at least 5 appeals daily in the mail! One of the probems for charities, I believe, is that there are way too many, resulting in a lot of overhead costs, duplication of services, etc. It seems that when someone loses a loved one or has a special concern, this individual thinks he/she must start a new foundation or some other kind of charitable concern. Just look at all the charities claiming to serve veterans, the homeless, the poor. Is giving overall down, or are some of the charities that have been around for a long time like the Salvatiion Army hurting because money is going to other similar, but newer and smaller organizations?
Pat Rudloff
Edwardsville, IL
I contribute regularly to a number of charities including Episcopal Relief and Development, The National Alliance On Mental Illness (NAMIj) FINCA, OXFAM, Heifer Project, Habitat for Humanity, my church, etc. I get at least 5 appeals daily in the mail! One of the probems for charities, I believe, is that there are way too many, resulting in a lot of overhead costs, duplication of services, etc. It seems that when someone loses a loved one or has a special concern, this individual thinks he/she must start a new foundation or some other kind of charitable concern. Just look at all the charities claiming to serve veterans, the homeless, the poor. Is giving overall down, or are some of the charities that have been around for a long time like the Salvatiion Army hurting because money is going to other similar, but newer and smaller organizations?
Pat Rudloff
Edwardsville, IL
Diane, my company provides legal recruiting services in Cleveland, Ohio. We used to give gifts of thanks to our clients at this time of year. A few years ago, we switched to giving to a local foodbank in their names. The response from our clients expressing their appreciation for THIS gift increased dramatically and has remained strong ever since. It is a testament to our clients, but also to the impact of giving to those who are most in need.
- Dennis
Cleveland, Ohio
For the past four years my church has asked its members to cut holiday spending in half and donate half to a specific charitable organization or project chosen by the youth of the congregation. It has become the high point of the season for our family. We have learned to make do with much less, make many of our gifts and trim an already modest holiday budget even further. I much prefer giving this way, as I know that the money I give will be joined to others' donations and add up to an amount - generally over $50,000 - that can really make a difference.
On a separate note, while I applaud much of the work the Salvation Army does in needy communities, I find I cannot give to an organization that discriminates against gay people. So I wish the red kettle bell ringers a Merry Christmas, but walk on by to donate my money elsewhere.
Suzanne
This is frustrating. This show and NPR talk about what individuals can do, but won't add corporate responsibility to the solution. The people on the panel will talk about out of work, but not about getting a job or NATIONAL HIRING DAY coming up January 19.
This is a day that corporations are encouraged to hire new employees. The day suggested is Wednesday JANUARY 19, 2011. Corporations are called on to put patriotism ahead of profits and help their country in hard times. Those corporations that cannot hire, are asked to stop firing for that month.
Perhaps we listeners need to start our own media that will talk about all aspects of a problem. And talk about what people are doing to help others get a job.
... and what about the Salvation Army's long history of involvement in anti-gay politics?
The local Democratic Committee that I belong to asks members to donate coffee which is given to local food pantries. We have collected about 70 lbs so far this year and are shooting for 100 lbs soon. The food pantries really appreciate it because people don't think to give coffee and by choosing just one thing, it's easier for our members to remember to bring the same item.
Charities might benefit from not oversoliciting - if one makes a donation the thank you recieved almost always contains a request for further donations. Also, no matter how many times we make a written or telephonic request to stop solicitations or to request only an annual solicitation charities continue to waste my donation money on printing and mailings. Like many people we make annual/regular small contributions to many charities.
The second problem I see is that charities share your information (or sell it) with other organizations resulting in solicatations from innumerable organizations which end up in the recycle.
Taking these comments into consideration might help maintain a repeat doner pool.
WRVO listener - Dexter, NY
I have been able to tour Goodwill Manasota and the Salvation Army in Sarasota FL. They are both doing so much good work. I like the Goodwill style of accepting donation of goods, hiring people to accept, categorize, stock shelves and sell the goods to fund the creation of other jobs and programs to even more people. This type of self-sustaining paradigm makes sense. Is it the same for all Goodwills?
I am a volunteer with the Vermont Haiti Project who has 5 projects: a school, an orphanage, a water filtration project, a clinic and a training center for literacy and skills in development. These are successful projects conceived and run by Haitian families. You don't often hear about good things happening in Haiti - I can talk forever about how wonderful these families are and how much good they are doing in their communities.
I would like to get the message out to those who are interested in helping Haiti rebuild from the bottom up. Thank you.
Bonnie Rubenstein
VermontHaitiProject.org
301.379.4779
When will Americans come to terms wiht the need for a state administered social safety net. In good times people pay taxes into the system knowing that it will be there to keep their families protected in case things go bad. These private institutions, like Goodwill and The Salvation Army, while they may be doing an excellent job are not the answer. We should have a system that garanties families basic needs are met, and in the process people's pride and self-worth is not bruised. The citizenry in this nation should mobilize and finally join the rest of the western world in implementing a humane system worthy of this great nation.
Yared
Falls Church, VA
I have the greastest respect for what the Salvation Army does arround the world. However, I can not donate to an organization who's past history of homophobia has been so hurtful. As a father and grandfather, we have tried to teach our young ones to be tolerant of everyone. Remember that there are howeless gay people, gay people who have children and no job. Please ask the major if this long stand anti-gay attitude still exists. I would like to donate to The Salvation Army in the future if it has become more inclusive.
George
Why are does Salvation Army pay (Labor Ready)temporary services to provide paid bell ringers instead of paying a living wage to its employees or helping the community?
Why do both Goodwill and Salvation Army warehouse and truck items collected to other markets instead of using the items collected in the community where the items were collected? Why are items requiring any work before sale rejected or trashed rather than collected?
Why are truck drivers in the Detroit, MI area only paid minimum wage, charged for room and board resulting in almost no net pay for the employees? Is this like sharecropping always owing more than earned?
Why does Goodwill Industries buy items from Target? Why are collected clothing and shoes resold for rag packages or sold overseas?
Hi
I am very grateful for the good work these religiously based organizations like the Salvation Army do however it is important to note where they stand on important social issues like gay and lesibian rights and if they employee them. For me, this is is as important a measure of their strength that everyone is included as the financial measures. The financial calculators out there are great for monitoring how organizaitons manage their funds but it would be good to see a social monitor as well.
Thanks so much for a great show!
Regards,
Please let your guest know I have the same problem with high prices at Goodwill in Maryland. I can get many of the same items on clearance at Target and they're brand new.
My charity of choice is the Salvation Army. I find the Goodwill stores price many of their items near or at retail price. This is not serving the community in need. We have one local charity that takes donations in and saves the best for ebay to be priced at high prices and sells the rejects in its store. So I try to give to the Salvation Army every time I see a bell ringer.
I don't know if this has been mentioned yet or not. A great way to give to your community is to donate blood or platelettes. I dontate platlettes every couple of months through the year on a weekend and it only takes about 3 hours of time to do. Many people donate blood and that is great and wonderful to do. However, not many people donate platlettes and those are just as important to those in need of a number of medical services. I suggest calling the American Red Cross chapter near you and finding out more.
My understanding is that the purpose of good will is NOT to sell clothing and household goods cheaply but to provide employment to as many of their employees as possible who may be struggling with challenges. Therefore, I don't understand the caller who complained about Goodwill having expensive clothes. I want them to sell my items for as much profit as possible so that they can continue to fulfill their actual mission of providing employment.
Yesterday the Missouri Attorney General released the 15 worst charities determined by % of money collect vs % of money used for the cause. Does the Giving Effect do any reporting or vetting of the charities on their site?
My daughter is a new teacher in Baltimore City Schools and she has been very successful in securing much needed basic supplies for her students through DonorsChoose.org. I have been able to volunteer in her classroom and the positive effect it has had is immediately evident. I would encourage everyone to find some time to volunteer in the classroom. The needs of these kids should not be underestimated. They really do crave interested adult mentors and reading material.
Did anyone else catch George Hood's comment at the end of the show, concerning abortion and pregnancy-- 'A woman who gets herself into that situation'.
GETS herself into that situation...
I'll give that an antiquated 'ouch'.
Changed the way I think of Salvation Army, for sure.
There have been several comments regarding high prices at these "thrift" stores. I would imagine the price increases on certain items is because they carry a higher value. Many collectors scour these stores for items to resell on eBay and other websites; they buy items for 99 cents and resell for $20 or more.
Is it fair for individuals who do not "need" these items to benefit from the generosity of others who intended to help the needy? Of course not! By pricing these items according to market demand, the charities ensure that they get the fair value the donor intended.
Of course, if regular items are being priced beyond what would be fair then that is another question...
I shop at Goodwill and Salvation Army stores. I am not in need. I recently found a Coach bag and a Kate spade bag at the stores. The higher pricing is for people like me who are willing to pay higher prices for designer items, but unwilling to pay $500 for some of these things. Paying $25 is a real bargain as far as I’m concerned. There were PLENTY of VERY LOW cost bags also in the store, so I didn’t feel that I was taking something that someone in need would require. I just thought there was some shrewd cookie working at the Salvation Army who knew that I would be coming along to pick that up. I’m happy to pay higher prices not only because it is a bargain for me, but because I’m contributing to a good cause!!
I am very disenchanted with Goodwill after seeing all the good items they throw into the dumpster in our town. I normally don't go through dumpsters but these items caught my eye -- a purse with the price tag still on, many new and slightly used items that look like new. The list goes on and on. After seeing this, I no longer contribute to that organization in the way of goods or money.
The Salvation Army.
Really.
I am truly disgusted. TSA is viciously, openly anti-Gay. I am appalled to see them at department stores and grocery stores and on The Diane Rehm Show.
Ignorance of this fact betrays the complacency of heterosexual bigots. How nice for you and your uncomplicated lives.
There are many, many other charitable organizations to which we can and should give that are not openly bigoted. I wish they had been included.
People say TSA is a religious based organization. I say so was The Klan. When I see a TSA bellringer outside a store I think you might as well have The Klan out there burning a cross.
I am deeply offended that The Diane Rehm Show devoted a show to these people.
DR Staff---PLease send me the name of the fellow who called in whose wife had stage 4 cancer, whose kids are disabled and whose house is in foreclosure. I would like to help them. At least send the newspaper article link that he referenced, if you can!
Thanks!
Mary
Santa FE, NM
Not to sound like a grinch, but people should be aware that giving to charities online will subject you to "tons" of mail and email. I gave to four charities online to aid with the Haiti earthquake and now I receive loads and loads of mail from all kinds of charities, most of which I never donated to. As someone who tries to be "green" whenever possible, I wouldn't have donated at all if I had known they would send so much junk mail.
Regarding the request for the link to the newspaper article, I second that.
Here's the article on Damien's family:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2010/12/13-07/As-foreclosure-r...
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2010/12/13-07/As-foreclosure-r...