Gavra at work: I think that the difference, imho, is that men in kollel usually need the discount more than others. This is not to say that hatzoloh members or any other person doesnt. From a personal standpoint, we could really use the discount. Besides, i thought that the kollel discount was a store owners way of contributing his part to the ‘yisschar-zevulun’ partnership. Whereas the hatzoloh discount is when one shows appreciation. correct me if i’m wrong.
I hear you. One is giving Tzedaka, while the other is showing Hakoras HaTov. A person is Mechuyav in both.