By Jody Brown
A Home Depot store manager in Georgia recently told a group that because it was a Christian ministry, his company could not contribute to a fundraising effort. But a Home Depot executive now says that manager mischaracterized the corporate policy.
Home Depot claims to be the world’s largest home improvement retailer and the second largest retailer in the U.S. Operating more than 1,500 stores across North America, along with recent ventures in Puerto Rico and China, the company known for its free in-house “how to” clinics has been credited with revolutionizing the home improvement industry.
With such an image at both the national and local level, the retailer is often approached by schools, clubs, and non-profits to contribute to fundraising efforts. But Charles Walthour, national director of Special Youth Challenge Ministries (SYC) in Dallas, Georgia, was caught by surprise recently when he asked the local Home Depot manager for a small contribution to benefit a banquet fundraiser.
According to Walthour, the manager turned him down, telling him that because SYC was a Christian ministry, Home Depot would not donate to the fundraiser. He says he was “shocked” because the retailer had donated to SYC on previous occasions.
Now, the American Family Association (AFA) — which on Monday alerted its supporters to Walthour’s experience at his Home Depot outlet — reports it has been contacted by a company executive who states Home Depot does not discriminate against churches or Christians in its corporate giving policy. The Mississippi-based AFA had stated in its alert that the policy was “extremely callous” toward Christians and churches.
“The Home Depot does not adhere to a policy that automatically rejects faith-based organizations,” says Douglas Zacker, manager of external affairs for Home Depot. “We contribute to the non-religious activities of faith-based organizations that meet our requirements.”
And what are those requirements? Zacker offers two examples, according to a statement released by the American Family Association.
Zacker cites Habitat for Humanity as a good example of the company’s policy. “They are a faith-based organization, but building affordable housing is within our giving guidelines,” Zacker explains.
He also offers the example of a church men’s group requesting a donation of lumber for a playground project. If the playground was to be at a church, Zacker says the group would not qualify. But if the donation was sought for a playground at a local park, Home Depot would consider the request because the playground would benefit youth at risk as well as the entire community.
Don Wildmon, chairman and founder of the American Family Association, says he appreciates clarification of the policy.
“Home Depot has assured us the policy is equal for all faiths,” Wildmon says. “I do think this clarification will help local store managers better understand the corporate position.”
Zacker says the comments by the Georgia manager were a mischaracterization of Home Depot’s giving policy, and promises to investigate the issue thoroughly.
(This article courtesy of Agape Press).
