Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-18
NEW PLAN ADOPTED
ASSOCIATED CHARITIES TO SERVE
AS CLEARING House.
sCa4
Purpose is to Prevent Implications in
the Serving of Free
Dinnefa 80

The Associated Charities, through its
general secretary, Mr.. eChares F. Weller,
has formula ted a plan for a more equitable
distribution of charity On Thanksgiving day
and similar festal occasions than has here
tofore been followed. 1t has often hap
pened in the past that five, six or seven
holiday dinners have been sent to a single
family, because either they themselves or
number of kindly people. unknown to
each other. have solicited provisions for
them from several different sources. While
these have been overwhelmed with supplies
to the point of wastefulness, and have
suffered perhaps from the gossiping COM
ments of neighbors others no less needy
have not been remembered at all.
Serves as Clearing House.
The Associated Charities serves through
out the year as a clearing house of chari-
ties, and it is regarded as appropriate that
it should undertake to bring about the
special cooperation which is needed among
the churches. schools. charitable agencies,
fraternal organizations and various indf-
viduals who wish to aid the destitute at
Thanksgiving or Christmas time. This
year, therefore, those in charge of the As
ISOLATED Charities have decided that. in
stead of sending out dinners themselves. to
serving the other distributors Of holiday
bounty by enabling each to cooperate eff
fectively with all others.
Each organization or individual distribu-
tor has been invited to send to the general
office Of the Associated Charities a con-
fidential list of all the people for whom 1t
is proposed that holiday gifts shall be pro-
vided. Two special card catalogues will be
made, one classifying the proposed bene-
ficiaries by name and the other by their
street address. This double classification
will meet the difficulty which arises from
incorrect spelling of the family names or
from the fact that the same family may be
reported under two or three different sur
names.
On the card which stands for each family
will be noted the names of the organiza-
tons which propose to supply its needs.
When one family Is reported by several
agencies it will be assigned to the one first
reporting. and all others interested will be
notified that the family is already provided
for.
An Agent to Visit Homes
Whenever asked to do so. a tactful agent
of the Associated Charities will make a
special visit to the home of any family
named as being in need of free dinner,
and will report to the inquirer the in
formation and suggestions resulting from
the visit
No investigation will be made. however,
ana no action on the part of the Associate
Charities viii be taken unless it is spe-
officially requested by the society or indi-
vidual that reports the family or LIST of
families. rs,
Ordinarily the association will only I'M
dertake the Office work of checking the
lists submitted and VIII not take a single
step which will disclose to- any the fact
that their name has been reported to this
clearing house of charities,
If a charitable worker objects to sub
hitting q he iS in cd To
personally to the office and learn whether
any of the families whom ;he proposes to
assist have also been reported by other
helpers.
ayers state, that lists shall be sent in good
season; that they Should be written legibly
and that full names and correct addresses
shall be given.