So what's so bad about The Salvation Army anyway?

[Ms. Toad]

5. You are correct in that they do not discriminate in who they serve.

But they do discriminate in hiring, corporate structure, and workplace - and in the past have sent back "tainted" gay money.

Part of implementing that philosophy also depends on local governance. When we hosted a large conference and had food leftover, we searched for anyplace who would accept it - rather than toss it in the trash. Most places would not because we could not verify that it had been prepared (and maintained) in accordance with strict health code standards. The local Salvation Army welcomed it. This was just after the national powers that be had returned a large donation from an openly gay individual. We made clear that the food was coming from an LGBT faith organization, and it didn't make any difference to them - it was food and they had hungry people to serve.

So - while I have absolutely no problem with any individual or group choosing to donate their resources elsewhere, I am more inclined to provide resources which reach hungry people - and it is often organizations with whom I disagree on LGBT matters who do this most efficiently - including the Salvation Army.

I'm gearing up to bake about 20 pies which will end up being served by a shelter which would not hire me (as a lesbian), and every year I donate my spare change to the Salvation Army. Both because it is an efficient use of my charitable resources - and in honor of my grandfather who was a bell ringer for years.