The Salvation Army USA
reviews and complaints

On Saturday January 28, 2023, I was shopping in the Hornell, NY store and had an encounter with a very very rude nasty manager. I had been shopping awhile, had about $50.00 worth of items. I had found a shirt that I absolutely loved. I knocked on the door and a very nice young man answered. I asked him if the manager was available to possibly take a little off the shirt because it had a small, fixable hole. He took it back to ask her and she was loud and rude. "JC, what, do they want it for free? Tell her we cant sell it with a hole". I was livid and I do not get angry easily. Shes the same b that has a grumpy face all the time and is rude, rude, rude.

January 27th 2023 (early this morning around 3am) there was a fire at a Salvation Army shelter in New Orleans.
Evacuation alarms worked in entire building. People were allowed to stay in building. One lady was still sleeping in our dorm when only a few of us that had actually evacuated were instructed to return.
This seems dangerous. This is a large shelter with many families, and fire evacuations need to be handled more appropriately.
This is not a rare occurrence, and shelter director advises us to sleep in clothes so we can ALL evacuate quickly.
Homeless people’s lives matter!

I worked for Salvation Army and I hadn’t went to store for a longtime. I needed to get some scrubs for my new job and thought I can get ther but as soon as I walked in the store nicely and said hello to Brenda i did not in any way made her feel as she did towards me.

She started yelling at me “Get out of my store!” Called me a thief and nasty when hello I was the most cleanest person ther. She threatens to call cops I did nothing ! But that attitude made me want to. I can’t believe she still works ther with such low class attitude she is a raciest without a dought!

Very disrespectful and sloppy!im sure that the store would benifit alit more without her!

The Bell Ringer that has been working the location in Lexington, Ky at the Richmond rd store is the rudest woman I have ever met. This particular incident occurred around noon on 12/8. She’s an older African American woman and makes me not even want to shop at that store. When I was walking into the lobby to get a cart she was on her phone being extremely loud and using profanity. I looked at her shocked and she saw me and asked what my problem was, I just ignored her and walked inside. On my way out she was still on her phone and yelling, never seen a bell ringer so disengaged with the customers and cursing before. Makes me wonder why even volunteer in the first place. I will be placing a complaint with the store manager in the morning to have the bell ringer removed from the store if she will be the one to continue volunteering at this location.

The women and myself are disappointed and shocked with the level of disregard and unhelpfulness at our shelter. We've had to come together to help ourselves finding resources bc the majority of staff here act like we're on probation and in probationary housing vs actually HELPING and being an advocate FOR US. Even when I've had to be drug tested for work applications, I've NEVER had someone stand over me and literally WATCH me pee into a cup like a criminal in jail. We're served old, gelatinous & runny food that people did not eat previous meals, that were left out 2hrs on carts. I can't express enough how humiliating it is daily here, staying at a salvation army shelter.

I applied for rental assistance about 3 and half weeks ago.. Since day one they been very rude to me. The last I talked to over the phone to set my appointment up told me everything I needed to have so I bring all those documents then told me I needed more documents before they could move on with processing my application.. My park manger faxed them the documents that needed to be filled out and they took too long to respond back to me about the next step I had a 10 day notice to vacate they ask if manger would extend my notice so she did she extended it for another 5 days and the wouldn't get back with me or anything until alost almost a whole week and they asked manger for another extension so she did again she they didn't get in touch with me for a whole another week. Now i'm gonna be evicted because they been dicking me around the whole time I feel like they are discriminating against me because i'm gay.. This is the most worse place I ever been to for help they are very rude..

I was came for my appointment today at10:30 am waiting 2 months .They told me bring a proof my bills and my income.They not told me I need have bill under $300 but I do have under $300 because I send a check for PGE August 1,2022 but PGE open case number looking this check .Now my PGE bill $449 on November but minus missing my check $150 will be $298 need pay for my PGE . Shut down notice I was don’t know I need bring it but call PGE explain they told me going to send it me few days will receive it.I almost 2 hours in my apartment filled up application but I told them everything but they can’t help me because I don’t have today

Salvation Army in Paso Robles phone number:[protected]

My phone number:

[protected]

Elena Genasci

This is my third complaint I've asked and beg completed for the people the tenants that stay here to keep their children their basketballs or footballs and all of their belongings off of my vehicle! I have beg you completed and next time I'm going to begging plead anymore I will go straight to my insurance company for work PD and make her report to my insurance company and they will have to pay for it I'm not going to keep putting up with it if you don't have control over your tenants while they're here. Then you need to make them leave.

I was checking out and gave Hailey the cashier my money and she gave me back the wrong change and then proceeded to argue with me about what I gave her. I asked for a manager but they never came. I left very upset because I was told to get out! Then she told me to have a good day. Needless to say that made me very upset. Thats why I am here making a complaint.

I am an employee of The Salvation Army Family Store (Casselberry, Fl location)until today. I will not be returning after being talked down to by Vincent Tedesco (GM). I was asked to go to the office. There Vincent proceeded to shout at me and tell me what was being done to me. He was sitting directly towards me with an angry face, as if to intimidate me. While all the while the Manager Esperanza Contreras witnesses the whole thing. I asked him to lower his voice, he refused. I told him I will not allow him shouting at me and condescending me. When I had asked him how long it was going to take, he said 'it's going to take however long it's going to take'. When I had mentioned it's very busy and we had long lines. He did not care. He proceeded shouting then decided to send me home. I have never been talked to like that in any place of employment in my life. So unprofessional and demeaning.

I bid on 2 different bracelets and won from the San Francisco facility and the shipping charge for each was $7.54 via ups. They are both now on the same invoice waiting for payment with a shipping charge of over $15. I contacted them 3 times with NO RESPONSE. I know the shipping charge would be no more than $7.54 for both of these bracelets together. It seems this facility is gouging me for double the shipping cost and pocketing the difference.

Now the due date for payment is in one day and the invoice shipping price has not changed

Thank you for scheduling

Your donation pickup

Date of Pickup

10/17/2022

Special Instructions

Pickup Address

Aline Jackson

3013 N 47th St, Milwaukee, WI 53210

Home Phone: [protected]

Mobile or Work Phone: [protected]

Items to Donate

Qty. Item

2 Clothes (Bag/Box)

2 Books (bag/box)

2 Couch

Pick-Up Policy

Please review the pick-up policy below. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-SA-TRUCK.

• All items that you wish to donate must be free of any: rips, tears, stains, soils, scratches, pet hair, mildew or any other types of damage.

• It is at the drivers’ discretion if the items are within guidelines and are acceptable.

• The driver may be unable to navigate interior stairs of your residence. If they determine that it is not safe to remove items without causing injury to themselves or damage to your personal property, they will not take the items.

• Your donation can not be in an unfinished basement, attic, or above the ground floor without elevator access.

• All donated items must be disassembled and ready to go, just as if it were moving day.

• Please have all items in one common area, such as a porch/garage/patio or by the front or back door, so the driver and helper can simply accept your donation.

• In order for the driver to enter your property, someone over the age of 18 must be present. Donated items may be left outside on the porch or in the driveway, clearly marked, without the presence of anyone.

• Please make sure smaller items like clothing or household goods are bagged or boxed prior to scheduled pick-up. If not, the driver may not be able to complete the donation.

• The driver is an employee and comes with a helper. We kindly ask that you DO NOT offer a gratuity to them.

I have scheduled several dates for pickup with Salvation Army (as you can see from the confirmed email regarding the scheduled pickup on 9/17/2022.

These people never called then I get a confirmation of pickup requesting customer review. I am not sure if the drivers are capable of confirming once they are on their way to pick up items

On 08/29/2022 while waiting for staff to answer my knock at the door to the staff office, I was kicked in the calf by a resident. When I turned to ask if she just kicked me on purpose the woman shouted " yes I kicked you and I don't care" I told the case manager Amado lopez about the kicking immediately and was told that he'd check the cameras. And hed get back to me after a meeting with Liza to address her assault if it was on the camera. 3hrs later at dinner Liza was still in the facility so I asked staff why they weren't enforcing the contract and was told by staff members Amado Lopez and cindy at the Aetna salvation army bridge home that I should let it go because she is an old white woman and I'm young black man and it didn't look like itd hurt me on camera. I said that she'd confessed to it immediately but The staff refused to terminate her, as is the rules of the contract, while telling me that if I had done the same thing I'd have been definitely terminated immediately. They said I had the right to call the police which I did. Again she confessed to the police and was issued a court date and I was given a police report. I submitted a grievance to my housing navigator Amado Lopez about the racial and gender discrimination that the staff were showing by refusing to enforce the rules as stated in the contract and the point of the security guard and rules if the staff aren't going to enforce and secure anything. I waited 3 days and asked staff members why the lady was allowed to stay if the contract states that violence against staff and residents results in immediate termination for the 3rd time. Staff said they didn't have to answer my questions. I pointed out the greivance and was retaliated on by staff supervisor Steven with statements that I'd broken rules in the past (retaliation) and staff had chosen not to enforced them (he would not specify the rules I'd broken) I called the LAPD again to report the blatant breach of contract and discrimination and harassment exhibited by the staff members. The LAPD arrived and said they don't handle contracts nor discrimination and harassment reports. The LAPD officer go to speak to staff for 30mins and come back and tell me that I'd been terminated by the salvation army staff members (retaliation) but they had no reason. Police tell me that staff said that they'd spoken to lahsa and had terminated me from the program that morning after id sent a complaint to lahsa about the lady kicking me and salvation army staff doing nothing at all to enforce the rules nor provide me with the same level of protection and services as the other residents. The police threatened me with jail unless I left the premises that I'd woke up on only 45 mins earlier. Now I'm homeless in a tent and waiting for services that I should have gotten during the 6 months stay at the salvation army bridge home on Aetna.

I was also denied the housing navigation services specified in the contract. My case manager never turned in my HMIS housing assessment to whomever it was supposed to go to On 02/08/2022

It was returned to me incomplete when the police escorted me from the shelter in 09/02/2022.

I was discriminated,harassed and retaliated on by the salvation army bridge home staff for being a young black man and not an elderly white woman.

The salvation army allows violence, threats, assaults, and other types of crime to happen on the premises and then fight against you when you defend your safety. Because they over crowd their facility they don't know who does what and expect everybody to run and tell when in reality we all have our moments and situations to attend to. For the lack of moral support the director turns away from the problems she needs to be fixing in order to run a successful business. What kind of place is that to even work in knowing you allow those things to happen and to bring no resolution. They hurdle together, disrespect and violate, the trust of those they bring in.

I was informed by a former employee of the store that the workers are allowed to take home whatever they would like for free out of the donations. One woman takes all the sports jerseys while another takes all the band t shirts. I used to find tons of clothes there but recently there has been nothing due do everyone taking things. It doesn’t seem fair to the people who actually buy clothing there

On August 29 2022, I traveled to Salyersville, KY to deliver needed clothing, household goods, kitchenware, etc. to the flood victims. I spent the next day visiting the people who lost their homes, vehicles, identity, gardens, crops, worldly possessions, etc. Many of the people ranged in age from the early 30's to the mid 70's with several children included. Some were concerned with coyotes and copperhead snakes that were seen lurking within a few yards of their tents! I also discovered the parents with 4 children, who climbed a tree and held onto their arms and legs until they couldn't any longer, let loose and the children perished. If that wasn't terrible enough, both parents committed suicide! (Side note: you may be asking your self why is he telling me that story and going into great detail-it will become clear as this complaint unfolds!). The needy were asking for Bibles because many of the church's were flooded and Bibles were in short supply-- that was the reason for my visit on Sept 2 2022.I was telling the two employees and a female customer the fore mentioned and because of my passion to help these people I was talking a little louder than normal -but was not ranting and raving by no means. About half way through my conversation, Mr Jim Alley, store manager came up front and directed one of the employees to go in the back. Prior to Mr Alley's arrival the older employee and I had a dialogue about what happened to the children's parents and the customer was so moved and offered to help in this effort we exchanged names and phone numbers. In fact, Mr Alley gave us 2 pieces of paper and a pen so we could exchange information. Mr Alley was talking to the older employee while we exchanged information and the state of affairs in KY. I noticed some hand sanitizer-- 37 bottles to be exact @$1.00 each total purchase price $40.52 and found 1 Bible in the back. Mr. Alley told me the Bible was free-I thanked him for that. I told him the Bible and sanitizer were for the flood victims and if I could receive a discount. He refused. I then asked for his name, he asked why. I told him I just wanted his name, he asked why again. He then said I will give you my card. After I paid I asked for his card he offered and he said why do you want my card. I replied because I want it. He replied, as a business owner we usually receive a reason for asking for ones business card. I told him I was in business to and I wanted his business card. I replied, I want your business card because you were so kind for offering a free Bible. Mr. Alley did not take my comment as truthful so he continue to pursue the question of why?why?why? Do you want my business card-one that he offered. I took it as very confrontational, almost as if he was seeking an argument. He asked again, why do you need my business card. His demeanor and nonverbal communication changed drastically after I asked him for his name the first time! I told him he had received the sanitizer for free free and it was for a humanitarian need. He said, my purchase helped the customers standing next to me and I said that's great but there are flood victims who have nothing. He then raised his voice and said , Get out of my store or I will call the police. ever since you have been in here you have caused trouble (something to that effect). He yelled again, get out! get out! I told him to go ahead call the police I will wait! At that point we were both raising our voices! He yelled "Get out! get out of my store"! I then left. My questions are: If I was causing such a disturbance why wasn't I asked to leave before? Why did Mr Alley drill me over and over and over to the why?why?why? asking for his name? Why didn't the customers complain or employees complain if I was causing a disturbance? I see it as Mr. Alley being very very defensive, argumentative, demonstrative, etc. As a very important side note: why do other Salvation Armies offer a discount on humanitarian needs when Mr Alley refused? Is it the store manager's decision or is it The Salvation Army's policy to help only local people and NOT people who live out of state who lost everything? Let me perfectly clear: I suggest you take this complaint and desired outcomes very seriously. Let's resolve this complaint with desired outcomes within the United States-General Peddle has no need to know!

P.S. Your 240 character maximum in the desired outcome is far too short! Should be at lest 1,000! Have a blessed day!

One of the female cashiers at this location should not be at the register. I visited the store on 08/22around 4pm.

A family waited in line to purchase $1 toy. They only had $20 bill. She rudely declined bill with no apology.

When it was my turn, I had 7 glass items, 1 cheap item she just moved to bin, says no price no sale, and other items she moved to next counter. I paid and she continued to take next customer.

She placed 3 sheets of paper on glass items without a word to me. I assumed it meant pack your own. I asked her for another bag and more paper after I realized it wasn’t gonna be enough. She gave me a small bag and I asked for a 2nd.

She became annoyed and replied that she had a client to take care of. I responded that she did not finish taking care of me before moving on to next. She argued about not packing my glassware because of her long line. And that is fine but she could have communicated that to me and provided me with enough materials to do myself, and apologized before continuing.

She responded that she wasn’t going to go back and forth with me and continued to ignore me. During the time i was paying, the family came back with the $1 cash to pay for toy. She told them to get back in line, unapologetically.

Referring to the Salvation Army from

Anaheim/ /Irvine,/Compton California

For quite some time the salvation army has made a conspiracy (Criminally speaking) where they stalk me, harass me, defame me and with such destroyed my little family. What's worst is that these idiots tried to replace me in my little family with a scrawny [censored] that works for them and the piece of [censored] hit my kid. Now he is probably hiding which he should continue to do as I do. It take likely any abuse to my my son period. I am now suing everyone involved in the conspiracy which includes sheriff dept. Several local PD's this is getting ridiculous as they are supposed to help, instead. They picked up the harassment surrounding my path everywhere I go with a bunch of [censored]GS and I've had enough of this [censored] breath having idiots whom have lost any respect I had for them. As they have willingly participated in the destruction of my little family which I will not let go ever and I will make every one involved pay for it no matter how long It takes me. Also it will be by the justice system or by my own justice. I come to you hoping you resolve this [censored] now as I've lost all patience left in me and I'm begining to act on their stupidity on my own. And I am sure you don't want that as I will expose you all for the real piece of [censored]s you all are so that the country knows and quit donating to this [censored] organization which has focused solely on destroying a survivors family and ultimately will soon too turn me into a criminal and perhaps their worst mistake ever. I've got nothing to lose now and is thanks to you all. Think they'll get away with all they've done and expect me to let go and forgive. You all truly are crazy thinking I'll do that. I suggest you correct this idiots before I correct them for you and expose you all and target you guys as this has now become personal. I give you no more than 3 days to respond and begin talking about a solution. Don't confuse my approach as forgiveness. It is not at all stopping my lawsuit under USCODE42 SECTION 1983 AGAINST LASD AND ALL CONSPIRATORS WHICH INCLUDES SALVATION ARMY. YOU GUYS TRIED TO [censored] OVER THE WRONG SURVIVOR WITH THIS MALICIOUS CRAP. I SWORE I WOULD NEVER AGAIN BE A VICTIM TO ANYONE. NO MATTER WHO THEY WERE PERIOD.

Cindy Abney Director

Reached out for utility assistance was told we did not have a bill so no help. PSO does Power Pay its upfront prepaid to ones electric account. Money could have been pledged but was refused.

First we where told we got help less then a year ago she turned us down. It actually has been 14 or 15 months since we last asked for help. Its only a one time of year help. We need the help and then told she didnt have a bill.

I sent her a copy of our past due balance and our current account status with PSO it is Power Pay and our account number is on it. I have two kids on disability and a wife too. She shunned us pretty badly.

My name is Joshua White my fiance works at a location 8th and Carson will not mention any names nothing but disrespect from Crystal the store manager that was working Saturday August 20th 2012 regards to policies and service rent from Salvation Army my Uncle William Pfeiffer is the development director for the Salvation Army and I too have also been through the program but the treatment that we are getting when spending money that we work hard for in your stores I think this needs to be corrected this has not happened just what it's happened numerous times not to mention I have a service dog and Crystal behind the counter said dogs are not permitted when it specifically States on your door service dogs permitted and are allowed only and my dog got kicked out so I would like to situation Rectify immediately and these employees to be counseled and how to treat customers with respect just as much as we are required to treat employees with respect working at centers like this thank you so much you can contact me at [protected] bye