Each week, there are anywhere between two and ten people who walk into our offices because they need some sort of financial assistance. Some of the people are elderly and do not have anyone left to take care of them. Others are unemployed and looking for a job. Still others are working every day and still can't seem to pay all the bills.
When these folks come to us, we assess their needs and determine the amount of help to give. Some need a utility bill paid; some need a meal to help them through the week; some need a tank of gas to get to the grocery store or to the doctor; others simply want a bus ticket to go see their family who lives out of town. Whatever the situation, we are required to determine the legitimacy of the need and also to determine if they have received assistance from other agencies or churches.
Referrals are made to other helping agencies if we are unable to assist. Transient assistance is addressing a real need in our community. God bless the work that we do with "the least of these." The Bible tells us "that which you do to the least of these, you do unto Me."