How can I find charitable help for my family?

Finding charity help for you or your family can sometimes take a little work and a few phone calls. You can start with a local church or other religious organization. There are many large organizations like the Salvation Army that can help, and most of these groups can refer you to other resources if they are unable to help. Asking for charity help can be difficult; Most people who seek charity do not pride themselves on having to do so, but do so because of dire financial circumstances. When contacting various agencies for charitable help, it is important to keep in mind that few people who work for these organizations would try to make you feel bad for seeking help.

Some people don't know where to start to find charitable help. Typically, the best place to start is at your local church if you know they have an assistance program, or even if you're not sure. You don't have to be religious or belong to a specific church to get the charitable help they can offer. If you are not religious, you can call churches and ask if they have programs to help families.

While a church of any kind may not have a specific program, the people who run the business aspects of the church can often guide you in the direction of charitable aid from other organizations nearby. If you can't find help with a specific church, temple, or synagogue, try contacting another. Some places of worship are more organized about this than others.

There are several different types of charity groups that generally exist in most communities. Most communities have some sort of food bank, and large cities may have several. Charities within a community may offer some financial relief, and some organizations like the Salvation Army may have programs to help you pay things like utility bills or a small amount of your rent. Communities may include other offerings, including shelters for the homeless or for women and children fleeing violent families. Some local or large charities may focus more on providing things like clothing, shelter, food, or small amounts of financial assistance.

Any large charity will likely know what other resources are available in their community. If you work with a group like Catholic Charities or the Salvation Army, they may even have printed lists of the type of charitable aid in your area. Depending on your financial circumstances and where you live, you may need to seek help through state or regional agencies. Low-income families or people with disabilities in the U.S. may qualify for state financial assistance, and the fact that you are low-income may qualify you to help pay for other necessary things, such as low-income housing, income, or school lunches. .

If you have access to the internet, you can research charities in your area, but it can be more efficient and effective to have a large organization help you do this research. Another good contact in the United States is United Way, which has local branches in many cities. Keep in mind that there is no guarantee that you will qualify for charitable aid from various organizations or that aid will completely bridge the gap between what you need and what you can get. However, using a network of organizations in your community can certainly help make a difference.