Minding my own business at a Tampa store and hit up for charity at check-out

So there I am after work in the grocery check-out line, my brain blissfully in screen-saver mode, when the cashier asks if I would like to make a donation — for homelessness, hunger, heart health or some other undeniably worthy cause.

And I am a deer in the headlights.

Here is my dilemma, and maybe yours too: I don’t want to be too cheap to spare a buck or two (especially when everyone in line can see I sprung for the fancy mustard.)

But I’ve also wondered if even a meager contribution from me might somehow be used to benefit the retailer. (More on that in a minute.)

And though I’ve been known to donate to causes that I like on my own time, there’s this itch of resentment at the unexpected request, like a 9 p.m. robocall about my expiring car warranty.

Can’t I just take my rotisserie chicken and go home?

But say no and you imagine the cashier and the customers behind you thinking: Jeez, lady, kick a kitten on your way out, why don’t you.

And it…

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