Belk’s Department Stores No Longer Allowing Salvation Army Bell Ringers Outside Its Stores.

Daisy and I just participated in WIBC’s annual Salvation Army radiothon this past Friday. It was our 4th year helping to raise money for the Salvation Army, and so we’ve had four years to learn how absolutely amazing of an organization it is.

What we love about participating in Radiothon is that we know the money we’re raising goes directly to help our local community. And so does the Salvation army in YOUR community. If you contribute locally, you’re helping locally, and that’s an awesome thing.

Apparently, the Salvation Army bell ringers have been a fixture in front of Belk’s department stores for years. They’ve been able to raise a million dollars in the years they’ve been able to stand outside Belk’s – and that money funds programs that serve thousands of kids.  But this year? They are no longer welcome.

“It’s a huge impact for us,” Salvation Army Lt. Rob Dolby told the Todd Starnes Show. “Those funds go to operate Christmas programs serving tens of thousands of kids.”

Dolby works with the Salvation Army in Anderson, South Carolina. He said the money dropped into those kettles also funds the operation of shelters, addiction and treatment facilities and youth programs.”

Here’s the kicker.  The Salvation Army was told that their ban from ringing bells outside Belk’s was due to a change in the store’s “social consciousness.”

A representative from Belk’s told Todd Starnes that they were going in a “different direction with a new social impact program as part of their Home for the Holidays campaign.”

It’s interesting, because the Salvation Army doesn’t celebrate holidays – it celebrates Christmas.  They say, “Merry Christmas” when you donate (and even when you don’t.)  Now, Todd didn’t say that the reason Belk’s banned the Salvation Army this year was because of the Army’s stance on Christmas, but he didn’t NOT say it either.  🙂

Belk will be partnering with Habitat for Humanity International this year instead, hoping to raise $600,000 to build a house.  And that’s nice and all, but that helps one family, and not thousands.  Just sayin.’

The Belk spokesperson said, “There is great power in all our Belk associates and customers rallying around one cause – and we really want to focus all of our efforts on this impactful campaign.”

Why they can’t raise money for Habitat for Humanity and ALSO not have the bell ringers present, I have no idea, but that’s Belk’s call, not mine, obviously.

Meanwhile, in order to compensate for the loss of funds they expect by not being allowed to ring their bells in front of Belk’s, the Salvation army has set up this website where you’re welcome to donate on line, if you’d like.

Bah, humbug.

Update: Great news! They’ve now “updated” their policy!

Christmas truly is the giving season and we’d like to welcome Salvation Army bell ringers to all 294 Belk stores. Merry Christmas! pic.twitter.com/ef5aOvejtz

— Belk (@belk) December 3, 2017