poorbox
Church donation container
A poorbox is a container in a church for collecting donations for the needy, typically a locked box mounted near the entrance or altar.
The tradition dates to medieval times when parishes distributed alms to local poor.
The term sometimes appears figuratively for any charitable fund: They passed the hat like a poorbox.
Giving to the needy
- beneficenceActive desire to help
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- givingTransferring to another
- reliefEasing of distress
welfare · aid · assistance · philanthropy · humanitarianism · compassion · generosity · munificence
Gifts to the destitute
- collectionGathered set of items
- offertoryService donation period
- titheTenth for clergy
- sacristyChurch storage and preparation room
narthex · parish · chapel · vestry · sanctuary · pew · altar · clergy
almsgiving
Giving to the needy
- beneficenceActive desire to help
- benevolenceDisposition toward doing good
- givingTransferring to another
relief · welfare · aid · assistance · philanthropy · humanitarianism · compassion · generosity · munificence · largess
alms
Gifts to the destitute
- collectionGathered set of items
- offertoryService donation period
- titheTenth for clergy
sacristy · narthex · parish · chapel · vestry · sanctuary · pew · altar · clergy · rector
destitution
Extreme poverty, lacking necessities
- indigenceExtreme poverty, total want
- penuryExtreme lack of money
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
want · neediness · privation · deprivation · beggary · mendicancy · workhouse · almshouse · welfare · relief
poorboxtreasury
Stored organizational funds
strongbox · treasure chest · safe · bank vault · debtor's prison