DEAR HARRY: I operate a good-size retail store in a hot mall. I have frequently had customers place collection boxes for our local hospital and for campaigns for local people who have fallen on hard times. Today, I was presented with an entirely different situation. A person wanted to place a box for a recently killed store owner's family. I did not know this man, so I hesitated. The solicitor then offered me 10 percent of whatever was collected at my checkout counter. I told him I was just not interested, because I was concerned about how much would actually go to the family. Later in the day, I sent a check for them to a church that was also collecting money for this purpose. Now, I'm really concerned about all of the store collection boxes. Is there a real problem?
Charity collection boxes may not go where you think
WHAT HARRY SAYS: Sure is! It's a shame, but too many of these operations are scams. In some cases, less than 10 percent of the money goes to the charity indicated. The rest goes to the store owner or the person placing the boxes. There are many cases where the charity gets nothing. It's a pity that we have people who use legitimate charitable organizations' names to steal. This means that donors hesitate to give spare change for good causes. Unfortunately, many legitimate charities pay out more in collectors' fees than the money left for the good cause. My own criterion is to give directly and only to recognized charitable organizations. I don't mind looking cheap at the checkout counter.
Email Harry S. Gross at harrygross@phillynews.com or write to him at Harry Gross c/o the Daily News, PO Box 8263, Philadelphia, PA 19101. Harry urges all his readers to give blood — contact the American Red Cross at 800-Red Cross.
