The Salvation Army USA
Reviews and Complaints

I posting this on behalf of my wife she worked there for 7 months.5/30/205Ripley mississippi store.
The supervisor or boss over the store is Pentecostal/a lier and took favortism on a another Pentecostal lady that was hired in after her. my wife had issues with the lady not doing her job and not doing as told. My wife is a Christian Baptist women.. and she would complain to her boss abought this lady coworker not doing her job and the boss would always take the pentocastal lady side. and just over look the situation even when there was proof and it got toxic they would laugh and make jokes bought my wife and the boss would always congerate and whisper bought my wife. they be on a confrence call and leave my wife out. and the boss would say crazy stuff that my would never do aka lie. and one day she posted her feelings and post bought her work and how toxic it was and got wrote up over the post the boss retaliated and wrote her up knowing she could get away with it and make her own rules. my wife couldn't take it no more and had to quit.

I contacted The Salvation Army of the Palm Beaches for assistance with my utility bill because I have been unemployed since December. As a single mother of two disabled children who require 24-hour care, I have worked all my life. This is the first time I have reached out to this organization for help.

When I called in March, a social worker named Christian informed me that I was ineligible for assistance because I received help from Care to Share in April 2024. She explained that the system isn't set up to provide help multiple times. Since my situation had changed, I reached out again after the eligibility date in April to see if I might qualify for assistance now. Unfortunately, she reiterated that I can only receive help from Care to Share through FPL once a year.

However, I did my own research and spoke with a representative from FPL, who confirmed that one can receive assistance once per calendar year. Christian continued to insist that the funds are not available for repeat assistance, making it seem as though I was abusing the system. I find this attitude troubling; you never know what someone is going through at that moment.

Instead of judging individuals as if they are misusing resources, it would be better to understand their background first. I expressed to her that it seems like the organization helps only those they choose, often overlooking individuals in genuine need. Sometimes, help is provided to those who are truly taking advantage of the system.

I believe it's important to take the time to assist people in critical situations. As someone who frequently donates to various organizations, I have learned that seeking help can sometimes feel like a struggle with organizations that are supposed to assist in times of need. Lesson learned!

Below are the requirements and policy directly from FPL website:

FPL Care to Share Program
This is funded by donations from businesses, charities, customers, and FPL The program was created to provide emergency financial assistance (grants and hardship funds) to help customers pay their bills if they are faced with an unexpected crisis. The service is run at the local level, and it is managed by local government agencies and nonprofits such as the Salvation Army, community action or government offices that qualify customers based on criteria established by Florida Power and Light. Locate community action near you in FL.

Each agency that manages the program at the local level decides who gets funds for paying electric bills and who doesn’t. The non-profits in general use the program eligibility guidelines, but each agency may decide, on their own, to add additional criteria, based on availability of funding, volume of applicants or other factors. Funds are very limited and demand is high. Priority for FPL money is given to senior citizens, the disabled or to households with children under 10 years old.
In total, the Care to Share program from FPL can provide hundreds of dollars that can be used to pay for electric and utility bills. It can also be used to pay for air conditioning, or to fix a unit too. People can apply at most once per year. Some exceptions can be made from time to time under special conditions.
In order to get financial assistance from the Care to Share program, several conditions need to be met. They include:
Budgeting tools
The customer must be able to provide proof of a personal or family crisis, they need to be behind on paying their bills and have a disconnect notice or final notice.

They must have a plan to pay future electric bills as the help provided is only for a defined period of time.
Applicants need to have applied for and used all other utility bill assistance programs, including both government and private resources. So the Care to Share program that is available for FPL customers is meant to serve as a last resort.
A family emergency needs to be in effect, and the household must show proof of the financial hardship and show why they are falling behind on paying bills.
Certain low-income levels need to be met.
To apply for this crisis program, you can dial Florida Power

I hope this can be a help to somebody else!

My sister and I were at the Dover, DE location to drop off donated items. We went inside to get a receipt and browse the store. I found two items with no tag and my sister found one. Not knowing there was a "No Tag No Sale" policy I believer a sweater had a sweater price and a sweatshirt had a sweatshirt price and didn't think anything of it...until my sister tried to purchase her item and was told no, item could not be purchased without the price tag. I asked if they could price the items so we could purchase and was told not at that moment. It would take 24 hours to do that. This was Saturday, they are closed on Sunday so the earliest they would be able to do this was Monday. Seriously? For a price tag? No explanation as to why it would take a full day to price an item. Of course by the time we were able to get back to the store the items were no where in sight. What the heck Salvation Army! You receive donated goods and google each item to see what the best price is an then add a price tag? Only one person in the store knows how to apply a price tag? Someone selects a random price to stick on a tag and it takes 24 hours to come up with that price? The lady there said it is because "customers rip off the tags and change them in the store." Really? There were no tags on the floor. "Well, that's because we sweep every night." What are the odds of three items found that morning were tag less due their tags being ripped off. Sal's is a big fail on policy and customer service.

I'm reaching out regarding my disabled son, who had lost his job and needed assistance from The Salvation Army. My son has never received assistance from any organization. We live in a small town where everybody knows everybody, and many are related. The lady who provided assistance was very rude as if he was a burden, then she paid his current bill, didn't touch the past due just paid the current which caused my sons electric to be shut off the following week. She helped him with I believe it was around $180.00. Hoever, her ex sister n law who reached out to her for help previously she helped with almost $3000,00, because she is related of course. It has came to the point where not very many even like to approach the Salvation Army becaujse of the way she makes you feel and she doesn't care if your lights get shut off or not. It is very sad I have reached out to everyone I could possibly and no repsonse.Only response was from her boss who was just as rude a she was.
It seems unfair that she appears to pick and choose who receives help. There have also been concerns in the community that assistance is primarily given to those personally connected to her. I love The Salvation Army and appreciate the work it does, but I feel this situation needs to be addressed.
I would appreciate some direction of whom I can make the complaint too.

My friend and her daughter’s house burned down. The BF lit himself on fire. This not her first traumatic incident. A few years ago her BF shot himself in front of her. They have lost everything and on top of that people haven’t even been kind to her. The Salvation Army in Burnett County Wi, has been the rudest. Sandy says there no help. She could put her in hotel for 2 days then she needs to go to homeless shelter because they can’t help her. I find that very disappointing. I thought you all were there to help?

I am a senior citizens with a disability have been denied rental assistances by a lt. And his wife, who also is a lt. Have continuely denied me assistances with rent, I was previoously homeless and the pitt county. In greenville nc. Assisted me with housing for private rental which really exceed my income, however with the help of god I have been in my apartment going on two years, but I continue to have rental problems, but I am on a waiting list at 110. In lenior county for section 8. However if I receive a eviction I will not receive section 8. Salvation army have continue to not assist me with rental assistances. Anything you can do to assist me with this matter would be apperciated. Thank you. James armistead.

I went threw first call for help last year for school clothing program and on two items did not know was pajamas it was loungwear not pajamas but it wrong up on the receipt sleepwear but it's not sleepwear and they won't help me this year with my two girls because of the receipt saying I purchased two items I wasent supposed to well they were on clearance rake when I got them mixed with other clearance clothes it was shirt and short sets that's all it was walmart had them as sleepwear but was loungwear theirs a big difference loungwear u still can go out in so inget punished for something that's not sleepwear and I ain't aloud to get help with my 2 girls for school and the lady at the tiffin ohio office was rude and nasty kinda to me saying I'm not going sit here and argue with you I was not arguing i was trying to explain myself here on the two outfits that were the problem

Me and my family have been attending this church for nearly 20 years. They have been providing transportation for the people that do not have any. And as of recently we have been giving all kinds of excuses. They don't have the gas. But they can pick up certain people, and we have been going there longer than the people they choose to pick up. Their excuse is we don't have enough money to pick up people. We have been going there even when they reserving electricity and we had church services with the lights off cause funds were low.. they don't want to send them to 730, DMAG or Youth Council's. The young adults and daughters ask me why we can't go to our church. One of my daughters think that since we haven't been attending church that when the new leaders come they will not pick us up either. We are all soldier at our church.

10/18/23

This is the last straw! I shop and donate here weekly. A few of the employees are nice but some are so unnecessarily RUDE! I tried to just ignore the things they do but something needs to happen. Today the lady who’s at the register near the jewelry was giving attitude when I asked her which item was ringing up $7.99 because twice in the past she over charged me so I have to always check if it’s right. That same lady last week was talking in her language to the manager that the children’s book was not the price it’s marked and so they were going to charge me $9.99 for it. Which is ridiculous cause I used to buy all the children’s books for .99 cents. In the summer I’m with my kids so I bring them along with my sister I. Law and her kids. They were sitting at the coach area away from people watching the babies and just laughing and talking but the man employee is yelling at them to be quite and then the manger says that because the babies are crying she going to call the cops on them! Why is she threatening my kids! While other kids are running around knocking things over, but my kids are just sitting down talking to each other. Another incident, an employee had a new rack out and told me I couldn’t look at it, which is fine if that’s the policy, but after an hour she still hasn’t put anything on the floor so I ask if I can just grab one pants but rudely she says no. The next time I see that same lady she’s allowing a man look at her rack. It’s petty I know but they’re so rude and biased. They’re are much more to say but it’ll be too long. I really love supporting Salvation Army for what the believe but it’s so stressful shopping at a place with rude employees.

I reached out to salivation Army at [protected] servicing zip code 80241 for utility assistance. I did the complete intake process, I was told by customer service that someone would reach out to me in two weeks. This was around August 1st 2023. I did not hear back from anyone so I called customer service back. They said they didn't have my info and I needed to re-do the intake process. This time they gave me the name of Angela Watson and the number to reach her. I called and left her a message and gave her all of my contact info. After another two weeks on 9/15/2023 she sent me an email requesting that I send her the Application, bill and ID to her. I sent all required documents back to her. Now its Oct 16 2023 and I still haven't heard anything from anyone. There is no one other than Angela to contact at this location.

10-10-23 5:33pm

The sign on the door clearly states that the store closes at 6:00pm. While walking in, one of the workers was already trying to lock up (with customers still inside) claiming that they are closing in 10 minutes (5:40pm) in a very degrading tone. After stating that the sign says that they close at 6:00, she responded with,"Well, we have to count the money. We will get fired if we don't count the money. If we wait until 6:00 to count the money, we will be here until 6:30." also in a degrading tone. While trying to look at the shoes, she continued to make comments, so we turned around and walked out.

At no point should an employee speak to a customer like that. Especially when they are trying to close 20 minutes before the listed close time, just because it feels convenient to them.

I went to work on 10/03/2023 I sign it for work they I asked my boss were she wanted me she told me the register. They about 30 minutes she called me in to the office they told me a customer seen me taking money out of the register I told them that was a lie and I would go right now to do a lair test to show I was telling the truth they told me it was no use to because the believe the customer because she comes in all the time I said you going to believe a customer over you employee they told me yes. That is not all that happened I told them it was not right for everyone to use my passcode on the register everyone has there owe but it been this way sent they put the new register in and the guy they just hired a couple months ago has been using my passcode and he was on the register too when this post to happen. I have talked to my lawyer he said I have a good case to sue the Salvation Army for what has happened. I’m going to do it and I’m going to take the lair test to proof I didn’t do it. My name is Tammy Davis my phone number is [protected] if

Anyone wants to talk to me about this.

For over 50 years, I have donated to the Salvation Army on numerous occasions. The past few years, I have fallen on hard times, due to COVID and as a victim of domestic violence. I never thought I would be asking for assistance from Salvation Army, but that's exactly what I did recently. The staff was pleasant, and very informative. It's disappointing, however, to find out that funds are limited, and being applied to worst-case scenarios, leaving others in need with fewer options for help. Staff provided suggestions for additional resources to contact. All staff members I encountered were helpful, empathetic, caring and understanding. My complaint is directed towards the funding.

I question making donations in the future to this organization, since it appears as though not many qualified applicants will be able to receive funding for rental assistance, utility assistance, etc. It's concerning with the upcoming holidays, where the needs will grow exponentially. My thought is that the homeless shelters will fill up more quickly, and utility shut offs will multiply, with an increased safety risk, those trying to provide lighting with candles, and heat the home with generators and/or fireplaces, woodstoves, etc. To sum it up, Salvation Army gladly takes our donations, but if we fall on hard times at some point in our lives, we will most likely never benefit from the organization's services in our time of need.

I would like to know why you do not take used furniture donations any longer. I called for a pickup and the people who came did not think my couch and loveseat were good enough. Since when is a used $4000 couch and loveseat in good shape with heavy wood trim not good enough? When I was young and had limited income I bought furniture from the Salvation Armyand I can assure you it was nothing near the quality of the furniture I have. What is going on with your organization? You mean to tell me you think furniture should be new? Don’t give me the COVID excuse. We did not get COVID. I suggest you explain to me about this issue. Is the Salvation Army no longer a company that actually does charity work? If so change your name and quit using the name the Salvation Army!

My name is jared brown and I live at 1 unaka ct apt 7 Johnson city Tennessee 37601. I contacted the salvation army financial assistance number and I left voicemails for 3 weeks in a row with no answer and no callback until the day my lights are getting cut off. Last time in February the guy said he couldn't help me and then a guy over him contacted us out of the blue saying he was gonna help because the guy supposed to be in charge of financial assistance here in Johnson city Tennessee 37601 kept saying he couldn't help me at all. Now im asking for help again and after 3 weeks of no reply from the guy he calls me and tells me to come in there knowing my lights will get cutoff tomorrow. We luckily got an extension at the light company until this evening. He seems to be deliberately not helping us out of spite or personal reasons I'm not sure of.

I have an ser in place I'm doing everything that I can to get State assistance and help with my electric bill through my caseworker and through salvation army I have an $8,000 electric bill due to covid and a bad heart and I'm dying celebration army wants to pay $411 the employee that I talk to you does not do her job tells me that each fiscal year they pay $2,500 well we're at the end of this fiscal year to get 2500 and then the new fiscal year starts over next month then I get another 2500 that's 5,000 out of the $8,840 electric bill that I have that's a nice chunk of it and they don't want to help they want to give me the runaround they want to add more stress to me when everybody got enough stress with the bad heart and dying because there's not a doctor in the state of Michigan that will do the surgery that needs to be done with Medicaid also currently fighting for disability and it hasn't went through yet I need somebody to call me contact me and tell me what I need to do next [protected] my name is Daneca Boyer and I live in Scotts Kalamazoo County 49088 please contact me thank you.