Giving to charity in the stores

Last night we were at the mall. And the bell-ringers were there asking for money. Several of the stores asked if we wanted to donate when we got to the check-out. Then we went to Kmart. And the bell-ringers were there asking for money. We bought a small item at KMart and, at check-out, we were asked to donate to some kind of charity. We had to hit the grocery store. There were kids there collecting for some trip they were going on. When we got to the check-out, we were asked to donate to a charity. 

At work, we have the Angel fund thing where we chose a girl or boy and buy an appropriate gift. We also have a cell phone for soldiers thing going on. And there was a food box around Thanksgiving.

How do you deal with all of the requests for donations? 

I usually put a little money in the Salvation Army bucket.  I remember when I was a kid guys in Santa Claus suits were manning those.  One of the pharmacy chains, I don't remember which one asks for donations to St. Jude's at check out and I usually give to them.  I know from the experience of a cousin with leukemia that they are legit.  That's really all I do extra at holiday time.

I only give to charity by writing a check or donating online. These are to charities I chose and not to ones that someone else asks on behalf of. So in other words, no impulse giving at the cash register, no donating impromptu on the street, and no giving to the work chosen charity. Main reason is that it is a lot easier to get receipts for tax purposes if I donate in one chunk by check or online.

I usually give a small amount (€1 - €2) to that type of charity. There are (animal) charities I donate a decent amount to every year, but that's by direct debit.

I don't deal with them.  I do however put money in the cans donating to animals.  I just don't trust some of the so called charities. 

We generally pass the bell ringers by. Our donations are done by check only to the charities of our choice

I normally will donate a very small amount, but after a while, I've had enough and will start saying no. I've hit that point.

 I don't like that feeling of being nickle and dimed, so we give when we can, to a single charity.

When we are asked, I just say we've already given to our charity.

I put my change in the local animal shelter boxes and in camps for kids. Other than that, I don't "give" at stores. These small charity boxes must be hurting since Canada stopped using the penny. They added up. Some people will think twice about putting in their nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars.

Today I went to my local no-kill animal shelter with 2 boxes of cat and kitten food plus a cheque. I also took in an entire unopened box of IV fluids plus lines and needles, some Rx cat food, and meds leftover from Coch. I wasn't expecting people to get down on their knees in gratitude but I barely got a thank you for the food and cheque, despite the big sign out front stating that they desperately needed cat and kitten food. When I brought in the medical supplies, they said they didn't know if they could use the IV fluid and other supplies. I responded with 'what about your fosters? (They are in "urgent need" of fosters as well.) The fluids can be used for kidney cats or emergency dehydrations.' They basically said, well, we'll check with our vets and see what we can use - anything we can't use, we'll give to the vets. These are the very same vets that were charging me almost $20 for a $6 online bag of fluid. Seriously thinking of donating in future to the two ladies who run a no-kill shelter in the next county over.

cocheezie You may have just had the bad luck to have interacted with a worker/volunteer who doesn't know what (s)he's doing, is too lazy to put things away, or has no interest in cats, just dogs. I've encountered those types. You'd think the check would have been greatly appreciated by anybody, though.

I think it was just some people who either have a bad attitude or were having a bad day.  I know with people leftover prescription meds aren't  supposed to be used for someone else, I would think the unused bags of fluids could be used though.

I only send donations via mail or online.  There is only one charity that I give cash to, which is the local food bank.  Nearly all the local groceries are involved and you can add a few bucks as you check out.  

I never really trust anyone who is holding out a can, regardless of how legit they might appear.  

jcat said:

@cocheezie You may have just had the bad luck to have interacted with a worker/volunteer who doesn't know what (s)he's doing, is too lazy to put things away, or has no interest in cats, just dogs. I've encountered those types. You'd think the check would have been greatly appreciated by anybody, though.

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I talked to the head person.

Winchester said:

 
Last night we were at the mall. And the bell-ringers were there asking for money. Several of the stores asked if we wanted to donate when we got to the check-out. Then we went to Kmart. And the bell-ringers were there asking for money. We bought a small item at KMart and, at check-out, we were asked to donate to some kind of charity. We had to hit the grocery store. There were kids there collecting for some trip they were going on. When we got to the check-out, we were asked to donate to a charity. 

At work, we have the Angel fund thing where we chose a girl or boy and buy an appropriate gift. We also have a cell phone for soldiers thing going on. And there was a food box around Thanksgiving.

How do you deal with all of the requests for donations? 

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I absolutely hate being asked for donations everywhere I go. I make a monthly donation to Alley Cat Allies that gets taken automatically through Paypal. Other than that and my donations of my used items to my local Human Society's thrift store, that's it.

Out of curiosity, how does everyone's workplace handle charitable donation fundraising? My work just picks a charity and asks everyone to give. Although they never pressure employees, I have noticed receipts aren't offered. A while back I found out through internet research that when there aren't receipts given back most often the deduction winds up on the owner's personal income tax and not on the corporate tax return, so you aren't even helping the business stay afloat. That is a big reason I never donate to my current employer's charities. They have a track record of not giving out raises and otherwise being stingy, even though the owners are millionaires. So I figure I don't need to be giving the owners a cut on their personal taxes.

Raintyger said:

 
Out of curiosity, how does everyone's workplace handle charitable donation fundraising? My work just picks a charity and asks everyone to give. Although they never pressure employees, I have noticed receipts aren't offered. A while back I found out through internet research that when there aren't receipts given back most often the deduction winds up on the owner's personal income tax and not on the corporate tax return, so you aren't even helping the business stay afloat. That is a big reason I never donate to my current employer's charities. They have a track record of not giving out raises and otherwise being stingy, even though the owners are millionaires. So I figure I don't need to be giving the owners a cut on their personal taxes.

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My employer is very large and they have a foundation set up and give to various causes, charities, etc. If we want, we can sign up to have money taken directly from our check that goes to this foundation and they do provide receipts at the end of the year for tax purposes. This year, our location did the Angel Tree thing, choosing 5 kids from the tree and raising money to buy them gifts. No receipt was given to the donators, just money put into a jar. I have my own favorite charities that I donate to, so I normally just do that on my own

I donate to 4 animal charities.  Our local Humane Society, SNAP which is a local group that does low cost spay/neuter, Pet Smart Charities and a local vet who does TNR. I donate to Pet Smart because they showcase our local Humane Society animals. I donate to SNAP because I think a lot of animals lives are saved by spaying/neutering and our local vets are pretty pricey on the charges.  I donate to our Humane Society because they are great and keep a lot of elderly/special needs animals that would probably be put to sleep in other shelters. I donate to the local vet because she helps large and small colonies, most people that tend to these larger groups have big hearts but not always big wallets. She also vaccinates, tests and worms when she fixes them.

I only donate to animal charities and that is how I reply when solicited by bell ringers and convenience store attendants.

We really do not have it to give.  With all the cats I do no feel to guilty saying no.  I do not trust many places so in end I guess it works out.  I have helped people have their animals spayed/neutered and helped with supplies.