Walmart removing Toys for Tots bins from stores

Disneyland1084 · Nov 26, 2015

This is an article about the local Walmarts in my area.

http://www.ktvn.com/story/30606650/local-walmart-stores-pull-toys-for-tots-donation-boxes

Is this going on nationwide? I emailed the corporate office yesterday telling them what a disgrace I thought this was. I got a response this morning. It didn't seem like they knew what was going on. I was told to contact the local store manager to find out the reasoning for the removal of the TOT boxes.

lynxstch · Nov 26, 2015

They should be ashamed of themselves

I haven't been in our Walmart since last weekend, so I don't know if the boxes are there or not, but I'll be checking, and if I don't see any, I will be finding the store manager to find out why!

Disneyland1084 · Nov 26, 2015

lynxstch said:
They should be ashamed of themselves
I haven't been in our Walmart since last weekend, so I don't know if the boxes are there or not, but I'll be checking, and if I don't see any, I will be finding the store manager to find out what!

Yeah, no kidding. I watched the video and it was said they were removed because of the company's "No Soliciting Policy." What a joke! If that's the case, then they need to stop soliciting donations for Miracle Network, and remove ALL scouts, veterans, etc..that we see in front of their stores different times of the year. Though I would HATE to see that happen, if they say "No Soliciting," then they need to STOP singling out Toys for Tots.

RedAngie · Nov 26, 2015

So what's the big deal? Donate to Toys for Tots at a place that accepts them. Plenty of other places do.

Disneyland1084 · Nov 26, 2015

RedAngie said:
So what's the big deal? Donate to Toys for Tots at a place that accepts them. Plenty of other places do.

The big deal is they removed them during the holiday season. That's going to effect thousands of kids. If they want to discontinue Toys for Tots, then they should wait until NEXT year!!!!

mrsheppo · Nov 26, 2015

They also removed the Be a Santa to a Senior trees also here in Reno.

ronandannette · Nov 26, 2015

RedAngie said:
So what's the big deal? Donate to Toys for Tots at a place that accepts them. Plenty of other places do.

That's my feeling also. And if one really feels strongly, make sure NOT to buy the toys you plan to donate at WalMart.

Disneyland1084 · Nov 26, 2015

mrsheppo said:
They also removed the Be a Santa to a Senior trees also here in Reno.

I heard about that too. :sad2:

Planogirl · Nov 26, 2015

If the corporate office is unaware of this it might just be a local decision. I plan to make sure that it's being done by the company before I boycott Wal-Mart.

bcla · Nov 26, 2015

These decisions are typically made at the store manager level.

That being said, I've made my donations directly. I called up a local Marine Corps Reserve center and asked if I might be able to donate. They said just come by and it would be no problem. As soon as I was there a Marine reservist greeted me and thanked me for the donation. He was apparently waiting. He wasn't in dress blues like they have at public donations. I suppose each center participates locally.

MSLRAC · Nov 26, 2015

There haven't been donation boxes in stores around here for a few years. The last year they had them, they had a few people take items from the shelf and put them into the boxes without paying. The stores put everything in the boxes back on the shelves and there was a big uproar about it. So I'm honestly surprised that they were still in any Walmart stores.

PrincessShmoo · Nov 26, 2015

Planogirl said:
If the corporate office is unaware of this it might just be a local decision. I plan to make sure that it's being done by the company before I boycott Wal-Mart.

That's a good idea. There may be local laws that affect the placement of donation boxes. I know that most Walmart s allow overnight RV parking in their lots, but the one in our city doesn't as the local laws don't allow overnight parking in the mall parking lots.

I agree - check to see if it's the local WalMart only that's doing this, or if it's a company-wide policy.

indygirl99 · Nov 26, 2015

PrincessShmoo said:
That's a good idea. There may be local laws that affect the placement of donation boxes. I know that most Walmart s allow overnight RV parking in their lots, but the one in our city doesn't as the local laws don't allow overnight parking in the mall parking lots.

I agree - check to see if it's the local WalMart only that's doing this, or if it's a company-wide policy.

Some charities also dictate who else can solicit while they are receiving donations.

Children's Miracle Network is one of these.

DH worked retail for 43 years. They were not allowed to have donation boxes for national charities at the same time they were collecting for Children's Miracle Network. They could have boxes for purely local (Smith family house burned, need help) causes.

Allons-y! · Nov 26, 2015

Stores have a right to decide what, if any, charity or solitation they support. And just because they "used to" doesn't mean they "always have to." By all means, decide if their policy is something you care about, and then determine whether you will continue to do business there or not. Personally, I tend to shop more at Target than Walmart, but this wouldn't stop me.

bcla · Nov 26, 2015

PrincessShmoo said:
That's a good idea. There may be local laws that affect the placement of donation boxes. I know that most Walmart s allow overnight RV parking in their lots, but the one in our city doesn't as the local laws don't allow overnight parking in the mall parking lots.

I agree - check to see if it's the local WalMart only that's doing this, or if it's a company-wide policy.

I don't see how there's any regulation at the local level of an indoor collection box.

npcougar · Nov 26, 2015

They removed ours in Indiana.

wenrob · Nov 26, 2015

Now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen an actual box at mine in ages. We can pay for and make the donation right at the register though. There's also the Angel Tree and the Firemen out front as well. I usually ask them what they need on my way in. (usually teens and boys, most people seem to buy for little girls) And while I'm thinking about it, I don't recall ever seeing any type of donations set up at all at Target. Lots of Mom and Pop places have the boxes and most of the schools have drives. You'd be hard pressed NOT to find a place to donate. It's more convenient to buy and donate on the spot but if your goal is to donate you shouldn't have an issue finding a place that you can.

PrincessShmoo · Nov 26, 2015

indygirl99 said:
Some charities also dictate who else can solicit while they are receiving donations.

Children's Miracle Network is one of these.

DH worked retail for 43 years. They were not allowed to have donation boxes for national charities at the same time they were collecting for Children's Miracle Network. They could have boxes for purely local (Smith family house burned, need help) causes.

And, if you read the link provided, you'll find that's apparently what's happening here. WalMart as a corporation has opted to collect for Children's Miracle Network. I suppose that means that ALL WalMarts must not have inside collections for any other entity.

They are, however, allowing the Marines to stand outside and collect on specified days.

bcla · Nov 26, 2015

PrincessShmoo said:
And, if you read the link provided, you'll find that's apparently what's happening here. WalMart as a corporation has opted to collect for Children's Miracle Network. I suppose that means that ALL WalMarts must not have inside collections for any other entity.

They are, however, allowing the Marines to stand outside and collect on specified days.

That's only a cash donation at checkout I think.

In any case, I've seen their policy on outdoor solicitation. Each store will only allow one organization at any time, and that's a company-wide policy.

http://www.girlscoutshs.org/assets/1467/wal-mart_solicitation_agreement7.pdf

justgrace · Nov 26, 2015

This could be because people were taking items out of the bins, essentially stealing them. Sadly, you'd be surprised with people today. Or, as a previous poster said, people may have been placing toys in the bins that weren't paid for.

I doubt that there is anything nefarious going on where Walmart wants to prevent people from donating to needy children via Toys for Tots.

If you want to donate, there's nothing preventing you from donating directly to the source.

Walmart removing Toys for Tots bins from stores

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