Back in 2004 when Target, a national chain, decided it would not allow the Salvation Army and other groups to fundraise outside its stores, there were many who decried the chain as lacking in charity and some even vowed to stop shopping there. At the time, the Salvation Army said Target's decision to prevent its bell ringers from taking up their positions could cost the charitable organization upwards of $9 million annually. In the end, both Target and the Salvation Army came away from the storefront banner no apparent worse-for-wear.
Fast-forwarding to today: Ahold's Martin's Food Markets has a similar policy to Target's. What that means is that 25 recently purchased Ukrop's, which are being folded under the Martin's banner, will no longer allow the Salvation Army, the Girl Scouts and other groups to seek support in front of their stores even though they previously had permission to do so.
Kara Hart, a Brownie troop leader from Henrico County in Virginia, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, "It's disappointing because a lot of groups count on that to raise funds."
Martin's, with sister company Giant Foods, contributed over $14 million in cash and merchandise to charities last year, according to an issued statement, "Our customers have voiced that they would prefer to shop in our stores without being solicited by other organizations, and we have listened to and respected their wishes."
As a gesture of goodwill, Martin's announced it would purchase a thousand boxes of Girl Scout cookies to donate to a local foodbank.
"I'm glad they're doing that," Ms. Hart told the Times-Dispatch, "but it's not going to help a Brownie go to camp."
Farmer's Foods, a family-run business with nine stores in Virginia and North Carolina, sees an opportunity for it to create some local loyalty by allowing Girl Scouts and others to collect for their organizations outside its locations.
"These little girls aren't begging for money, they are selling a quality product," said Paul Farmer.
Discussion Questions: Will Martin's ban on soliciting for charities outside its stores help or hurt it as it takes over the former Ukrop's locations? Is there a right way for merchants to handle interactions with charitable groups such as the Girl Scouts and the Salvation Army on a local basis?