Faith-Based Charities: How Do They Work?
By Teresa Ambord
Ever wonder what religious charities do? Most of us know that churches receive charitable donations in order to fund basic church needs, such as paying the staff and mortgage and other operating expenses. But many churches, synagogues, temples, and other religious institutions function on a grassroots level to feed hungry people in their local communities.
Food Pantries
Food pantries are becoming common from within these churches. Whether or not a family belongs to the church, people in need can usually get a bagful of groceries to help them over a rough spot. The Mormon Church is famous for providing for its members who fall on hard times. The practice is becoming more and more prevalent in faith-based organizations.
Rescue Missions
The Good News Rescue Mission (GNRM) in Redding, California is one of many organizations just like it across the country. In 2003, GNRM was able to give 11,5000 bags of groceries to hungry families, and they served well over 130,000 hot meals to people who otherwise would've done without. That is grassroots assistance.
Sources of Income
Where do they get the money? Mostly from private donations of individuals. Americans are famous for their generosity, and religious institutions receive the lion's share. Every year, about $150 billion is given to charities, 35% of which goes to religious organizations.
Plus, many communities such as Redding, California, regularly have grocery drives to beef up the food pantries that fill a nonstop need.
Wal-Mart
Then there are the corporate contributions. In North Platte, Nebraska, the Wal-Mart Distribution Center donates nearly expired food from its stock almost every week. A variety of groups benefit from this food giveaway, including not only churches, but also homeless shelters, daycares, and other nonprofit agencies. This particular Wal-Mart maintains a list of 32 organizations that are the happy recipients of these contributions.
Success
Most faith-based charities exist to help people over rough spots, as opposed to fostering ongoing dependence the way government does. The absence of government funding may seem like a disadvantage at first glance, but the bottom line is, no government funding means no bureaucratic red tape. While the welfare office hands a hungry family a stack of forms, churches and rescue missions give them a place at the dinner table.
Be Sure Before You Give
If you have any doubts about a charitable organization, religious or otherwise, check it out before you donate. It's easy.
Go to Give.org or call 212-929-6300, ext. 1029. Or you can write to National Charities Information Bureau, 19 Union Square West, Dept. 1029, New York, NY 10003-3395. NCIB has been a reliable source of independent, objective information regarding charities for over 80 years. Contact them for a complimentary copy of their helpful Wise Giving Guide newsletter.
You can also learn more about a charity by contacting the Council of Better Business Bureaus at Better Business Bureau.
