All money donated to the Saint John’s Poor Box is used to help people in need. Poor Box donations are not used to support Saint John’s Church, but are given to assist people in need. Here is a report on Poor Box donations and expenditures during this fiscal year (July 1, 2022-May 23, 2023):

Donations: $16,548
Assistance to the Poor: $35,638

As you can see, we have given more than we have taken in. However, during the past few years Saint John’s made few Poor Box grants for the poor and a surplus was accumulated. That surplus is now used up and we are in fact “borrowing” against future donations.

We make two kinds of grants: we support local Catholic programs to assist the poor and we help individuals in need. We prefer to support local programs since we can be sure of the responsible use of the money, but there are compelling needs that also arise from individuals.

Here’s how we spent the $35,638 used for assistance to the poor:

• $3086 — Saint John’s Hospice “Boot Up” Philadelphia campaign
• $8000 — The Little Sisters of the Poor
• $9773 — Catholic Charities
• $14,779 — help for individuals including single mothers and their children, a homeless man being discharged from the hospital, and other individuals.

Our patron, Saint John the Evangelist, said in his first letter, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”

I also think of the hymn that we sing occasionally at Mass, “They will know we are Christians by our love.”

We are not disciples of Jesus if we don’t share with those in need!

Saint John’s is a blessing to the City of Philadelphia because we are place of prayer and silence. But our prayer must lead to charity. Not only do we support those in need through our Poor Box, we also help through second collections and special collections, like the current Manna food drive.

One final word: If anyone is looking for a particular needy situation, I know a woman who recently gave birth to twins and is in need. A special donation to our Poor Fund directed to this needy family would be a wonderful “Pro Life” deed. Email me if you can help.