Charities Talk About 'Cash For Clunkers' Impact

 
The president's new Cash for Clunkers program is designed to get gas guzzlers off the street for good, but those good intentions could wind up hurting charities.

With Cash for Clunkers taking affect July 24, some local charities are afraid the push to improve the environment will end up smashing their missions.

"It very possibly could, because it takes one step out of it.  You go to the dealer, they take your car, they give you some money for it and it's done," Sioux Falls Lutheran Schools Director of Fundraising Bhrett Baney said.

The Sioux Falls Lutheran schools depend on car donations, but Cash for Clunkers may detour their fundraising efforts.

"Potentially, we're always looking for more fundraisers to get more money into the school so we might have to do something different," Baney said.

Other non-profit originations have a different outlook.

When it comes time for car owners to choose between the Cash for Clunkers program or donations, local charities like Habitat for Humanity aren't worried about a possible competition.

"I don't think we'll see that here. The people in this area and Sioux Falls are highly supportive of Habitat for Humanity and they stick with us in the hard times or if there are offers that come and go," Habitat for Humanity Operations Manger Jim Lair said.

Though in the end, Lair says everybody has to make their own decision.

"I guess whether they're going to donate money or anything they do, they're going to have to see their own tax professional and decide what makes sense to them on the bottom line, but also it's what's in their heart," Lair said.

To learn more about these programs we’ve setup links for you to learn more about how to donate your car to charity, Habitat for Humanity, or take part in the Cash for Clunkers program.