Schnucks Welcomes Back Salvation Army Bell Ringers

Schnuck Markets Inc. will allow Salvation Army bell ringers outside its stores for the 2016 holiday season.

The Salvation Army late last week announced that the St. Louis-based grocery chain would allow its bell ringers and red kettles to solicit donations at its supermarkets from Nov. 18 through Dec. 24, according to published reports.

Last August, Schnucks reported that it was launching a "no soliciting" policy that would apply to the Salvation Army, along with other organizations such as the Girl Scouts and the Kiwanis Club.

“We are honored to be working again with The Salvation Army to bring support and joy to families in need this holiday season,” said Todd Schnuck, Schnucks chairman and CEO. “Our solicitation policy was reset earlier this year in response to customer feedback, but there was strong and unique community reaction to the impact it would have on The Salvation Army in particular.  We listened. In this specific, special case, we acknowledge the great needs of the community and The Salvation Army’s unique ability to address these needs and made an exception in our policy to welcome them back – bells, kettles and all – and hope the community will contribute to the Salvation Army when they shop at Schnucks.”

Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets Inc. operates 99 stores and 94 in-store pharmacies in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa.