My widowed mother on social security was allowed to work in one of the church's office to "work off her tithe". She would never say what her hourly wage was.
OK, now I'm confused. Were you a member or was it your mother? Are you sure she wasn't working off Church Welfare. Bishops often encourage those getting Church assistance, food, money etc, to work in some capacity or another.
I remember a time when my dad was between jobs that we received weekly help, both in finances and food. Our family went down on 2 0r 3 occasions to help at one of the church dairies, to help the process continue on for others people in the future who needed help. It's a great program, totally opposite of Government welfare. The Presiding Bishop, at the invitation of congress, has even testified in Washington on the merits of the program. I believe this happened a few years ago when welfare reform was being discussed.