Whistleblower 9: BBB warns of Atlanta charity asking for donations in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Someone has been hanging pink bags on doors across south Charlotte asking for donations of clothing and electronics.

A viewer contacted Whistleblower 9's Scott Wickersham asking him to investigate if the charity is legitimate.

The charity is legitimate, but the Better Business Bureau has a warning about them.

The bags have the name Hope for Domestic Violence on them.

Wickersham learned that is not the actual name of the charity, and they are not based in Charlotte.

The charity's real name is Nspire Outreach.

The company operates out of the Atlanta area and has an F rating with the BBB for not responding to five consumer complaints.

Over the phone, the company's director, Greeg Kennard, blamed his small staff for the lack of response.

The company formed as a church and is not required to list financial documents.

But Kennard insists the donations are supporting two recovery homes in Charlotte. 

"The residences, the utilities, training  ... life skills training," he said the money is going towards.

 But Kennard refused to say where, citing security concerns.

The F rating and lack of details on a Charlotte connection is concerning to Tom Bartholomy, with Charlotte's BBB.

"There are still questions about how the money is being raised and spent," Bartholomy said. "You don't just plant a flag in Charlotte and say, 'If you need help, come here.' People need a way of finding you, and they are not even disclosing that."

Bartholomy recommends helping a local charity with a stronger connection to the community.

The pink bags started showing up in Pineville last week and Ballantyne this week.

WSOC