Caritable contributions

[Bub]

I don't mean to sound like a cheap bastard.
Has anyone noticed increasing requests for charitable contributions at checkouts?
"Do you want to give a contribution to X to ........." before you pay your bill.
I feel guilty saying NO (but in small caps) when I am asked if I want to give money to support cancer research or find a home for abused animals.
Perhaps we have our favorite charities or like giving money to an organization, such as the United Way, that distributes funds to a variety of charities.

 

[Brewdude]

This has not yet happened where I shop.


Cheers,

RR

 

[APKurt]

This has become almost ubiquitous in my neck of the woods. Most of the charities seem to be worthwhile, legitimate organizations and sometimes I donate, but usually I just say "not today, thanks". I did find it a bit annoying at first, but the more often it happens the less I really have a problem with it.

I especially don't mind the ones that say "would you like to donate your coin change to charity?" I despise having coins rattling around in my pocket and I almost never reach into my pocket to make exact change. By the end of each day I usually have a couple dollars in coins weighing down my pocket. Donating that change to charity works for me: it makes me feel good and keeps me from adding to the change in my pocket   

 

[Bub]

I agree with you APKurt:
My problem is that I have been paying with a credit card.

My solution for the loose change is a piggy bank

 

[gravel]

From what I understand, your charitable contributions are pooled with all contributions. From that pool, checks are written to the variety of charities the store solicited contributions for, and the store claims the credit and the write off.

 

[idbowman]

A polite "no thanks, not this time" usually works for me.

I give a fair amount to specific charities of my choice so I dont walk away feeling guilty.

 

[RDPipes]

I already give to a much needed charity...........ME!  :mrgreen: 

Ya know I use to all the time but, it seems those charities started to take advantage of me calling all the time, even after I got out of the hospital and after the old woman had a stroke.
I kept telling them "Sorry I can't help" and explained why. Didn't seem to matter, they just kept calling and calling, sometimes 6 times a day. Got to be harassment after awhile so I told myself "NO MORE!" And yes, there still calling, thank god for caller ID.

 

[PozzSka]

Mostly I just say, "no thanks." HOwever, sometimes if I'm feeling ornery, I'll tell them, "No thanks, if I donate money I like to claim the write off on my taxes, not fund the grocery stores donation efforts" or "No thanks, I donate way more than a dollar regularly to charities of my choosing"

Then, I feel like a jerk since the cashier's just doing the job, and it's not their idea to do that.

But, it is annoying, then they don't even get the whole dollar, 2.9% goes to the credit card company.

 

[d4klutz]

I used to feel guilty if I didn't give the guy at the corner some money, or donate in a store. Now, after living in the Houston area for 10 years, I no longer feel guilty. I have seen the same people out begging for years on end. After a while, I became indifferent to them, as it would seem they weren't trying to better themselves. If I recall, only 10 - 25 cents of every dollar donated actually reaches the people it is intended for. I don't feel like donating my hard earned cash so that 75 cents of every dollar keeps the corporate model grinding on at a charity. I always reply "no thanks" now. I reserve my charity for those who are working hard to better themselves and will actually use and appreciate what is given them. I think that is the better way at that point. I love to help and give. Just not to people who aren't trying.

 

[Richard Burley]

Kick the can...

...unless it's something you believe in and an organization you have vetted properly. Seeing how much of each dollar actually reaches the intended recipient is a good place to start. I think most charities are self-important cons. In any event, a grocery store or whatever is hardly the place to fork it over. I just say no, with not even a qualifying embellishment like "not today." The poor clerk forced to ask couldn't care less, in my estimate.