Target Stores Still Banning the Salvation Army But Adding Sex Toys-Truth! & Fiction!

Summary of the eRumor:
The email says that Target stores are once again banning the Salvation Army red kettles from their stores and are also adding sex toys to their product line.

The Truth:
This email is an alert from the American Family Association, a Christian watchdog group in Mississippi.
Prior to the 2004 Christmas season, Target stores made the decision to no longer allow the Salvation Army to collect funds through the familiar red kettles and the bell-ringing Salvation army volunteers.
That was viewed by many Christian groups as an anti-religious decision.
The AFA release says that the ban on Salvation Army solicitors at Target stores is continuing into the 2005 season and, as an perhaps an additional affront to morality, Target is adding sex toys to its product line.

The ban on the Salvation Army is true.
Target said in 2004 that its decision was meant to accommodate the many requests it gets for solicitation and there was no indication that it was temporary. CLICK HERE for that story.

During the 2005 holiday season a partnership was announced between Target stores and the Salvation Army to donate items to victims of the 2005 hurricanes in the U.S. as well as other needy families.

The allegation that Target is going to carry sex toys has been denied by a Target spokesman, according to NBC news.
The issue surrounds a product line from Trojan, the maker of condoms, called "Elexa."
WTOP radio in Washington D.C. quoted a spokesman from Trojan as saying that the Elexa line of products was going to be sold in Target stores.
That part is true but Target says it will be carrying the condoms and other feminine products, not sex toys such as the Elexa vibrators.

The eRumor also says that Wal-Mart is welcoming the Salvation Army solicitors, and that is true.

Last updated 11/23/05

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

Target Continues Ban on Salvation Army, Adds Sex Toys

Target Corporation will continue to ban the Salvation Army from their 1,351 stores this Christmas season. The Army will not be allowed to place their red kettles in front of Target stores.

Despite increased need caused by the hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Target will continue their ban.

Many observers feel that the ban by Target is a result of pressure put on the company by homosexual groups. Homosexual activists have targeted the Salvation Army for years because of the Army’s refusal to recognize their lifestyle. Target is a supporter of various homosexual causes.

While Target contributes to homosexual groups, the company publicly states that they will not contribute to any religious groups. For Target, homosexual organizations are worthy of financial support, Christian and Jewish organizations are not.

Further showing their true colors, WTOP Radio Network in Washington, DC, reports that Target has begun stocking sex toys. "Formerly the domain of sex shops, such products have been brought out of the shadows by popular television shows like 'Sex and the City,'" WTOP reported.

Elexa by Trojan spokeswoman Cassandra Johnson says the sex toys will be "discreetly packaged and sold in the feminine care aisle."

While Target continues to ban the Salvation Army, competitors such as Wal-Mart are increasing their donations to the Salvation Army. Wal-Mart and others continue to welcome the Army’s kettles.

Please send an e-mail asking Target to end their ban of the Salvation Army and their offering of sex toy line of products. In addition, you can e-mail Wal-Mart, thanking them for supporting the Salvation Army.

This letter will be sent to Target:

Dear Chairman,

I am disappointed that your company continues to ban the Salvation Army from Target stores. I am also disappointed that Target has begun selling the 'Alexa by Trojan' line of sex toy products.

Because of these actions, I will be making a conscious effort to not shop at Target, especially during this Christmas season.

This letter will be sent to Wal-Mart:

Dear Chairman,

Thank you for continuing to allow the Salvation Army to place their kettles in front of your stores. And thank you for your additional contributions to help the victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

I will certainly keep your actions in mind when it comes time for me to go shopping.