Salvation Army

For over a century, the Salvation Army's red kettles have reminded holiday shoppers not to forget charity during the season of giving. But this year, you don't need cash on hand to give, because there's something new in the kettle: a card reader and a mobile donation app.

The housing crisis continues unabated, and millions of unemployed Americans remain at risk of ending up homeless. But additional government help is arriving from the Obama administration, and nonprofit agencies are making a difference in the efforts of some families to get help from their lenders.

After compiling this huge list of senior discounts and freebies, I'm convinced that, if you're of a certain age, it's just a matter of asking to save money. Just remember to bring ID, as many retailers and restaurants will ask for proof of your age. After all, you look so young!

'Tis the season to give and receive, and retailers are getting into the holiday spirit by making donations and promoting volunteer work. While some retailers like Ann Taylor, Kohl's and Williams-Sonoma are donating a portion of customer's shopping proceeds to a charity; others like Walmart, Macy's...

I'm sitting in an old wicker chair (make me an offer) outside my garage on Chicago's North Side. It's not even 12:30 p.m. on this gorgeous Saturday and we've had a steady stream of customers parading through our alley all day for our garage sale. And they're buying all sorts of castoff and leftover...

When a $25,000 check turned up in the mail at a Charleston, S.C., Salvation Army office last month, the staff did what seemed rational: deposited it and spent the money on toys and food for about 100 families.

Probably at the bottom of the list of things the millions of donors to the Salvation Army expect of those running the charity's programs would be arrogance and a cushy lifestyle. If you're one of those donors, the purchases of two homes in Massachusetts for Salvation Army officers and the comments...

This just in from the Department of Why I am Not Suprised: Americans are giving less to charity this Christmas. A recent poll from the Red Cross shows that 20 percent of Americans plan to reduce their charitable giving this year. Salvation Army centers and Toys for Tots drives across the country...

You know the drill: you're walking out of the store, shopping bags in tow, when a bell-ringing Salvation Army guy in earmuffs gives you the look. Maybe you feel around in your pockets for a sec, or maybe you just skip right to the dramatic shrug; either way, chances are that you don't drop the...

While retailers struggle to sell anything no matter how much they slash prices, some thrift shops are raking it in. The guy who runs the Salvation Army's Chicago thrift shops says sales are up 26% -- and some people using the charity's other services are apologizing because they were regular donors...