The Salvation Army, whose tagline is “Doing the Most Good,” started in 1865 when Minister William Booth preached in the streets of England instead of in a church. He preached to homeless and poor people, and converted to Christianity those who were not welcome in other churches, (i.e. prostitutes, drunks, etc.). Booth’s ministry gained a vast following. They became an army of “volunteer Salvationists,” who were, in fact, an army in the real sense of the word. People picked physical fights with the ministry and this sometimes escalated to actual battles.
Proselytizing aside, Booth was doing good deeds for destitute people. Perhaps his deeds were not the “most” good, but they were good nonetheless.
The Salvation Army continues to do good today with programs like prisoner rehabilitation, soup kitchens and disaster relief. But in an impassioned conversation one Friday night with liberal-minded, composting, kale-eating college students, I was forced to reevaluate my dedication to the Salvation Army thrift store.
The Salvation Army thrift store, also referred to in some circles as Sal’s, Sally’s, Salvo’s or Thrifty, is a hub for poor college kids, punks and hippies, or anyone looking to save a few dollars and hold back on consumption.
I once reveled in two dollar deals and Cosby sweaters, double staples on t-shirts, with Wilson Pickett’s “Do You Like Good Music?” on repeat, and half-priced Family Day Wednesdays. Now I’m not so sure how proud I am to have saved a few bucks (or 20) on ironic tees and five-dollar Vans.
Okay, it still feels good to save. Anywhere from part to most of my wardrobe once came from Salvo’s. After spending only seven dollars on a vintage mod romper, I have had trouble returning to department stores. But what compromises have I made to become so loyal to the Salvation Army clothing outlets?
Aside from all the good being done, the Salvation Army has also been known to lobby against gay marriage. (Local units employ registered lobbyists, even though the national office does not.) In its mission statement, the group says it believes homosexual relationships should be celibate. These are two ideals I can’t get behind. I have to choose my battles, but I don’t have to support any lobbying against anything that goes against my morals. To put it simply, the gay community really struggles for equal rights, which baffles me. America claims to be a progressive nation, but something as obvious as gay rights is yet to be ratified by our persons of governmental power.
The Salvation Army claims donated goods and money collected from its thrift stores goes toward its Adult Rehabilitation program, which gives adults recovering from drug addictions or homelessness work therapy, food and shelter. The program also gives people spiritual direction and helps them build a relationship with Jesus Christ.
In reality, many rehabilitation programs are laden with references to God. These programs proselytize, but at the same time they help people. In fact, in doing volunteer work across the country and even outside of the country, I’ve come into contact with mostly Christian organizations and churches.
Never has someone preached anti-gay messages to me in my experiences with these organizations. So what’s the problem, if any, with shopping at the Salvation Army thrift store?
Maybe the thrift store really does only directly support the adult rehabilitation services, but the Salvation Army has other ways of getting donations. According to the New York Times, the money people drop into the Salvation Army’s little red kettles during Christmastime actually goes to national headquarters, where Salvation Army advocates converse with government officials about public policy on gay rights. Not all of the money of course, but a portion of it, (a quarter of every penny, according to Times), but it adds up.
Two gay men were told they had to break up in order to stay at a Salvation Army homeless shelter, attend church services and get saved once they were there. While spokesperson George Hood claims heterosexual and homosexual people should receive equal treatment from the organization, it’s obvious that this message has been lost on some Salvation Army workers.
Donating to any charity with skewed morals is not ideal for me. I have a right to question where my money goes, and I don’t have to give to an organization that discriminates against anyone. If instead I want to volunteer for the Salvation Army and serve food to the hungry side by side with them, that wouldn’t hurt anyone. I could support the Salvo with actions and personally restrain from discriminating against an individual in need. But I want to keep track of who I am supporting with my cash, however indirectly. Luckily, there are plenty of other thrift stores out there.
Rachael Roth is a Collegian Columnist. She can be reached at [email protected].
