Ingles Stores Will Prohibit Salvation Army Bell Ringers

By: STAFF | News Channel 7
Published: November 19, 2009

One sound will be noticeably absent this holiday season from Ingles stores - Salvation Army bell ringers.

We believe in and support the Salvation Army’s mission. With the tough economic times we’re all experiencing, we also want our customers to be able to shop in an unsolicited environment. If our customers wish to and are able to contribute, the Salvation Army kettles will be prominently located inside our stores. We hope this helps the Salvation Army reach their goals for this holiday season.

Chief Financial Officer for Ingles Ron Freeman said "We believe in and support the Salvation Army’s mission. With the tough economic times we’re all experiencing, we also want our customers to be able to shop in an unsolicited environment. If our customers wish to and are able to contribute, the Salvation Army kettles will be prominently located inside our stores. We hope this helps the Salvation Army reach their goals for this holiday season."

Freeman says Ingles donates cash and food worth millions of dollars each year.

"We receive requests all the time from groups that wish to solicit donations outside our stores, and the volume of these requests has increased with poor economic conditions. We can’t honor all requests and have an obligation to our customers that have told us they want to be able to shop without being solicited." Freeman said.