I just walked by the cable car turnaround and saw a bunch of kids selling candy. That is not good and I knew it immediately. Although selling candy for good causes is a great way for youth organizations to raise some much needed cash, that’s not what was going on.
It is summertime, most youth organizations are in full swing and kids are too busy to be selling candy. That, or the programs are shut down for the summer break. So what is really going on here?
Adults round up a bunch of kids -- usually from poor neighborhoods -- and promise them big money selling candy. Some groups stay local, but often a van full of kids will hit the road. The children, usually young teens, will have no contact with their parents and that big money is put towards “expenses.” The teens often end owing the adults money.
These kids are easy to spot because they tend to look lost and the candy bars they sell are not branded with a youth organization’s name or logo. The box carrying the candy has no identification either. If you want to do some good, don’t buy the candy.