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Chick-Fil-A To Stop Donating To Anti-LGBTQ Charities
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Chick-Fil-A announced on Monday that it would stop donating to The Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, two organizations with a history of anti-LGBTQ policies.
"Staying true to its mission of nourishing the potential in every child, the Chick-fil-A Foundation will deepen its giving to a smaller number of organizations working exclusively in the areas of education, homelessness and hunger," the restaurant chain said in a press release.
For some Atlanta residents, the announcement was met with skepticism.
"I don't think they're doing enough, really," said Atlanta resident Elliott Kael, who is also a former Chick-Fil-A employee. "I'm glad they're feeling the pressure, but I feel like they're only doing it because of the pressure."
For Marietta residents Sierra Kihlstadius and Kaelyn Ireland, the move is too little too late.
"I mean, it's a nice gesture. Unfortunately, they've already helped do irreparable damage through their donations," Kihlstadius said. "Start actively donating to organizations that help LGBTQIA folks, like Jesus would have wanted, and I'll consider it."
Chick-fil-A said in an emailed statement that the company made multiyear commitments to both The Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organizations that were fulfilled in 2018.
"This doesn't really impact my decision to eat there because the announcement is inconclusive," Ireland said. "Are they interested in doing better by their queer customers and employees or not?"
Mike Huckabee, former Republican presidential candidate and Arkansas governor, tweeted the restaurant had betrayed loyal customers for money.
Huckabee organized a "Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day" in 2012 after the chain came under fire for their charitable donation practices.
In Aug 2012, I coordinated a national @ChickfilA Appreciation Day after they were being bullied by militant hate groups. Millions showed up. Today, @ChickfilA betrayed loyal customers for $$. I regret believing they would stay true to convictions of founder Truett Cathey. Sad.— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) November 18, 2019
President and COO Tim Tassopoulos said Chick-fil-A's goal is to donate to the most effective organizations in the areas of education, homelessness and hunger.
"No organization will be excluded from future consideration – faith-based or non-faith-based,” Tassopoulos said.
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