Odessa

I shop at Walmart frequently, more due to convenience than adoration. My neighborhood Walmart has a "No Solicitation" sign posted prominently on the two main front doors. Clear enough, not that I am selling anything. However this sign obviously means "Solicitation with management's approval only" since I am frequently accosted, especially on weekends, by this or that local charity on my way in. This afternoon was no different. It was yet another kids sports group asking for donations. Call me a crumugen if you like, but I am not inclined to donate money so little suburban kids can walk around in professional looking uniforms. My money, my prerogative and I find the local homeless shelter a more deserving charity. What was different about this afternoon was that two of these little darlings, gazing pleadingly with big blue eyes, were flanking the door. Flank is a generous statement, I nearly had to turn sideways to get through the pig-tailed gauntlet.

I quickly said "Sorry, no" as I scurried into the store. Then as if my entrance wasn't bad enough, I had to repeat the process on the way out (I knew I should have went the long way and checked out the at the garden center). My emotions were somewhere between guilt and annoyance. Guilt for not throwing in a few cents, annoyance for having to deal with it every weekend I go to pick-up a few things.

My question is: Walmart, who are you trying to prevent from solicitation? Seems to me you let every freakin group in the area come and beg on your door step. I can understand, if you let one you must let them all, but can ya give us a break????