In most instances there will be a need for funds to undertake the assistance to a person or persons in need. Raising the operating capital can be done in any one of a number of ways:

• VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS - these should be generally unpublicized to preserve the spirit of charity.
• “BlACK BAG” - a sock-like bag with a ring sewn into the opening, to be passed in the congregation; each parishioner reaches in - either contributing or not contributing. The gift is between God and himself. This can be passed at each service on Sun­day once or twice or more per month. (Be sure to clear with the rector or vicar on this one!)
• THRIFT STORE. This can provide funds as well as clothes and household necessities at very low prices for the poor. By buying, the poor can have their dignity. Any member can draw on the store inventory for charity cases if the poor are Unable to buy.
• Annual POOR MAN’S SUPPERS or the like. Tickets are sold for $5.00 each to a supper with a ‘menu of soup, bread and water. Usually, outstanding speakers can be arranged to draw even more people.

The next step is to find “cases” to work with. Ask your rector or vicar for names of people he knows to be in special need. Local welfare agencies are usually quite willing to hand over cases with which they are overwhelmed. Actual seek-and-serve methods of door­to-door visitation.

Members are assigned cases on a team basis, two-by-two, to call on the family or person in question to evaluate the needs of that person and to recommend what action should be taken. One case for example, was reported as a family whose husband was out of work and unable to find a job. Public welfare had been issuing a “grocery check” for several weeks. An investigation by a team-of-two revealed that the husband was a construction worker and that his car needed two tires so he could get out to the construction sites to look for work. Public welfare had no way to buy tires for the family, but the team-of-two reported to the Chapter, and they bought a set of used tires for the car. The man went to work the very next day on a construction job at the going rate for construction labor. Members should enter into the project prayerfully and ask God’s blessings on this work that it will bring honor only to Him. Reports of work done should be incorporated as a part of the meeting agenda for the Chapter reports of investigation and recommendation should be handled by a committee especially appointed to handle this aspect of the work. There will be situations and conditions revealed by your work that may require more professional assistance. Be sure to include your rector or vicar as a part of your committee for investigation and recommendation so that he will be able to advise what other professional help should be sought.