Local Stores Alter Policy On Bell-Ringers
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The Salvation Army bell- ringers are not to be seen this year in front of Owen's supermarkets or in Wal-Mart's foyer.
Don't despair, though.
Owen's has not forsaken the Salvation Army, and the bell-ringers are still allowed to collect outside in front of the Wal-Mart store.
The local Warsaw stores aren't at fault. The decision to eliminate the bell-ringers from the Wal-Mart foyer was a corporate one, according to one of the managers.
"I believe it's a similar situation with Owen's," said Salvation Army commanding officer Lt. Michael Schneider. "I think they have a no-solicitation policy."
Schneider admitted the Salvation Army may suffer a little this year because of the loss of the two Owen's locations. Last year the Salvation Army raised $7,000 from the two stores alone. However, Owen's has other plans.
Sonya Saunders, manager of communications for Kroger Central Marketing Area, said Owen's and Kroger have other projects that will help the less fortunate this year.
One project Saunders talked about is called "Share Your Feasts." For eight weeks before Christmas. Owen's shoppers can buy $2.50, $5 or $10 worth of pre-bagged groceries they can donate to food pantries and food banks.
Customers also can scan $1 at the checkout to be added to their bill. All the proceeds of this program go to the Salvation Army.
"We think this is a win-win for everybody," said Saunders. She also said the Salvation Army doesn't always have enough bell- ringers and this way they can be spared for other locations.
"I think it's easier on the customer," said Saunders.
The food banks are surveyed for what items are needed and those items are selected for the pre-bagged groceries. Saunders discovered this year the most- needed items are tuna, chicken noodle soup, salad, macaroni and cheese and peanut butter. This program is customized to each community with an Owen's or Kroger store. Everything stays local, she said.
"We're truly committed to this," said Saunders.
Schneider said, "I don't want Owen's to suffer because people are upset with them." He wants Warsaw residents to understand that it was not a local decision and that Owen's is working with the Salvation Army to find other ways to raise money.
"It's not meant specifically for us," he said.
Schneider said the bell ringers are still ringing at Kmart and Marsh, and Wal-Mart is being very cooperative in letting them ring outside. There is no evidence that Wal-Mart will eliminate the bell ringers completely.
The Salvation Army wants to maintain a good relationship with the local businesses, he said. It will just have to become more creative about how to raise funds for the holidays. [[In-content Ad]]
The Salvation Army bell- ringers are not to be seen this year in front of Owen's supermarkets or in Wal-Mart's foyer.
Don't despair, though.
Owen's has not forsaken the Salvation Army, and the bell-ringers are still allowed to collect outside in front of the Wal-Mart store.
The local Warsaw stores aren't at fault. The decision to eliminate the bell-ringers from the Wal-Mart foyer was a corporate one, according to one of the managers.
"I believe it's a similar situation with Owen's," said Salvation Army commanding officer Lt. Michael Schneider. "I think they have a no-solicitation policy."
Schneider admitted the Salvation Army may suffer a little this year because of the loss of the two Owen's locations. Last year the Salvation Army raised $7,000 from the two stores alone. However, Owen's has other plans.
Sonya Saunders, manager of communications for Kroger Central Marketing Area, said Owen's and Kroger have other projects that will help the less fortunate this year.
One project Saunders talked about is called "Share Your Feasts." For eight weeks before Christmas. Owen's shoppers can buy $2.50, $5 or $10 worth of pre-bagged groceries they can donate to food pantries and food banks.
Customers also can scan $1 at the checkout to be added to their bill. All the proceeds of this program go to the Salvation Army.
"We think this is a win-win for everybody," said Saunders. She also said the Salvation Army doesn't always have enough bell- ringers and this way they can be spared for other locations.
"I think it's easier on the customer," said Saunders.
The food banks are surveyed for what items are needed and those items are selected for the pre-bagged groceries. Saunders discovered this year the most- needed items are tuna, chicken noodle soup, salad, macaroni and cheese and peanut butter. This program is customized to each community with an Owen's or Kroger store. Everything stays local, she said.
"We're truly committed to this," said Saunders.
Schneider said, "I don't want Owen's to suffer because people are upset with them." He wants Warsaw residents to understand that it was not a local decision and that Owen's is working with the Salvation Army to find other ways to raise money.
"It's not meant specifically for us," he said.
Schneider said the bell ringers are still ringing at Kmart and Marsh, and Wal-Mart is being very cooperative in letting them ring outside. There is no evidence that Wal-Mart will eliminate the bell ringers completely.
The Salvation Army wants to maintain a good relationship with the local businesses, he said. It will just have to become more creative about how to raise funds for the holidays. [[In-content Ad]]