No Bell-Ringers at Target Again This Year

Target Stores won't allow the Salvation Army bell-ringers again this year, but they did slip them a few bucks to keep the complaining down:

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. (TGT) is slipping $1 million into The Salvation Army's kettle, but it still won't allow the familiar holiday bell-ringers in front of its stores.

This will be the third year that Target has banned the bell-ringers from its stores. But Salvation Army spokeswoman Melissa Temme said other changes could make up much of the $9 million the charity used to raise each year in front of Target stores.

Besides the cash donation, Target will donate the profits from a $9.99 Salvation Army ornament that is hitting store shelves this week, Temme said. It will also put a link on its Web site to accept Salvation Army donations.

"We expect it to be successful. We don't know what to expect as far as the ultimate monetary gain," Temme said. "But we know that this will enable us to help more people simply because we'll be bringing in more money."

Target said it has "a long-standing relationship that includes providing financial resources for disaster relief, as well as supporting local chapters through grant and volunteer programs."

Target stopped allowing Salvation Army bell-ringers in 2004 to make its policy against fundraising at its stores consistent. It also wanted to spare shoppers the potential discomfort of being asked for donations.

Target's excuse has always been that if they allow the Salvation Army they have to allow everybody. Not true. They can pick and choose if they like. They just don't choose to choose.