A person who was down on their luck - through whatever circumstances homeless and jobless but who wanted to 'right themselves' - get a job, lodging, etc. could stop by any church in any town - maybe it might take a few phone calls -
Churches are not likely to help unless they have a large assistance program or the needy person has been around our people awhile. We cannot assess a person who comes to the door or telephones saying they ran out of gas on the way to a job. There's no way to tell if they make their living by jumping from church to church asking for handouts, or if they are truly in need.
We just don't/can't help with cash. Especially not only-one-in-the-building church secretary's.
St. Vincent dePaul helps people with rent, bills, food, clothing, medication, etc. We never give cash.....sometimes I think I've seen the worse of worse situations and then another call comes in.....the ones with children involved are the real heartbreakers. Most volunteers last 2 years before having to take a break. And I'm in a small rural community. I can't imagine what a large city would be like...or maybe I can.