I walk by the SA bell ringers, but mentally add what I would have given to the money I give to a local secular food bank.
I have a long-standing dislike of the organization, but locally they are known for doing good, so I drop 50 cents into the kettle when I see them. I have a superstition (of my own making) that if I make a small contribution each time I pass one of them, it will bring me a measure of good luck in the coming year. Yes, I know it’s silly. However, last holiday season they were nowhere to be found, thereby breaking my tradition. This year, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Coincidence of course, but I’ve made sure to drop some coins into the kettles whenever I’ve seen them this year. The surgery went well, by the way. After 4 weeks I’m still at home recovering, and need all the luck I can get.
My best wishes, XOldiesJock. The Salvation Army does feed people here in Little Rock. I drive by after work on the way home, and see people lined up to have their dinner. Half a dozen at 3:30, I don’t know when they serve or how many.
I don’t think I’ve seen one in South Arkansas in a few years. We have a local-ish women’s shelter that do a table with crafts for sell on it a few times a year.
Money.
I happen to know two of 'em personally, neither are quite right in the head and it’s basically the only money they get other than their disability payments. One did manage to land a better job so is not playing Quasimodo this year.