The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-08-28
Contributions Needed to
Aid the Suffering.
SYSTEMATIC RELIEF
Winter Not the Only Time Poor Need
Hell p---WiII Raleigh People Come
to Front as Usual and Give
Rlms--Associated Char
tiles Needs Funds.
BY FRED A. OLDS.

Until a little over year ago there
was no systematic relief of the poor
of Raleigh, this most important matter
being left to church workers and to
temporary workers, who necessarily
were not we'll informed about the
needs and the other requirements.
The Associated Charities grew out Of
q very distinct need, and with it ended
indiscriminate charity and the worry
of street begging, and also vast deal
of imposition upon the public.
The purpose of he association was
not to in any way interfere with
church charities but to relieve the
general public of imposition, to ascer-
tain the poor who We're worthy and TO
give these prompt and proper aid. The
result is appreciation of the work. not
only by the people who get the benefit
of it, to-Wit: the poor, the sick and
the afflicted, but the general public,
which is wiling to give, but which
wishes to see its money and other
aids used in proper ways and to meet
real needs.
Now there is systematic method
of finding out the needs of the poor
and the sick and there is prompt re-
lief with food, clothing, fuel, and
very often by employment. During the
first nine months work of the asSocia-
ton, which may be taken as an eX-
ample, and which covers a severe and
long winter, it is found that the cost
of the help given the needy and sick
was S1,097 and this sum went more
than twice as far as it would have
gone if it had been indiscriminately
used, without any system. No less
than 900 loads of wood were issued,
besides clothing for rs families and
other aids of various kinds. including
employment for % men. Several poor
were sent to their homes in other parts
of the State. charity tickets having
been purchased.
The cooperation by the ladies in the
work of what is known as the General
Committee has been very hearty and
constant in hot weather and cold, and
during the nine months they made
1900 personal visits. One branch of
the work was securing of homes for
several persons. The poor were more
closely looked after last winter than
ever before in Raleigh's history.
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New
Years Day were made bright for
them. Several times during the win
ter fresh meat, the gift of various
butchers, was distributed among them.
Mr.. Alfred A. Thompson is the
president of the Associated Charities
r. S. Stephenson the superintendent
Miss Fannie e. Heck the head of the
General Committee, and Miss NarciSsa
Hutchins its secretary, MeSsrs. r.
H. Battle and Joseph G.. Brown are
members of the governing board. In
order to show the appreciation the
public has of the work of the Associat-
ed Charities extracts from some let
terS are given:
Mr.. Holm r. Pu1lqn who iS so T.
ly beloved. says: 'T believe the work
accomplished by the Associated Char
tiles has been in every way satisfac-
tory. No better way of affording re-
lief can, in my opinion, be adopted.
hope the good wrk will be encour-
aged by our peope.'
Mr.. Herbert w. Jackson writes: ST
consider the Associated Charities in
diSpenSable to the community. I'm
der it's management all worthy objects
of charity are promptly relieved. and
employment is found for the poor who
desire work rather than beg. Impos-
ters are turned down. Every citizen
who is in the habit of giving haip to
beggars should contribute directly to
the Associated Charities. and refer all
beggars to the latter. instead of giving
to them"
DR.. Richard H. Lewis says: "I re-
gard it as a very valuable and desir-
able organization. Through it's agen-
cy the duty of the community towards
the poor can be performed more eff
fectively and satisfactorily than in any
other way to all persons concerned
except impostors. / hope it will re-
ceive the generous support it's previous
good work shows it deserves
Mr.. i. M. Broughton writes st be-
sire to express my incere appreciation
of the work of the Associated Charities.
The patient and per ''Stent abors> of its
officers and the lady managers has al
most entirely broken UP street beg
ging and at the same time every
worthy need has been supplied better
than ever before in Raleigh. I most
heartily commend the association and
its work as a great blessing to our
city"
Many persons have an idea that
there is no distress among the poor
or need of aid for them except during
cold weather This is a great mistake
The need for fuel and food is cen
slant, even in the hottest months
ihere are scores of people without any
mean whatever, dependening for theil
dally bread upon the Associated Char
ltles and the falling off of subscriptions
uullng the warm months puts an addi
uoaal burden upon the management
! IL can be said without any hattery tC
the Raleigh people that none are more
| charitable. The only thing necessary
| is 10 call their attention to The need
and they rise UP and meet it like the
| generous men and women that they
| are. The Associated Charities need:
| more funds. 1t needs more regular