THE DORCAS SOCIETY

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4489, 9 August 1930, Page 3

THE DORCAS SOCIETY

All hough the work of the Dorcas Society has been going on quietly for the past ten years, quite a number of people do no! know that ii exists. Olliers do not realize*tlm results of its labours because of lhe nimbirusivencss of its methods. Eleven years ago, the Red Cross Society, which lmd previously been engaged in war work, ceased when its sewing machines and material were burned in the Council Clin rubers' fire. The Society was I ken offered the use of All Saints' Guild room and machine to carry on their work as a Dorcas Society, lo help necessitous eases locally. It was later re-organised to consist of the min’slers of the various churches an i Salvation Army, with two representatives from each, who meet to discuss methods of alleviaiing di-dross. The. work consists of supplying needy people with clothing, which is a great boon lo many. The Society has also provided boots for some families, who f.inul that in winter time they w-n* unable to cope with the expense of keeping their children shod. -The Society has a sinnll fund which is i hiefly made up from members who give a smalt sum each year. From this small sum gran is have been made from lime to time for eases of dire need and distress. A valuable lending bag is also loaned or;I l.v !hi> Society to those needing it.

It is very evident to those who understand the work of the Society, that, much done cun obviously not be made public, hence many are ignorant of its work.

During the past three years a ■bend of willing workers have snpplii d four gallons of soup daily to the public school during the winter term. The cost of this per annum, calculating on a basis of -I/-, per day works out at approximately £l2. The headmaster and staff have from time to time expressed appreciation of Ihe benefit to the i hildren, and have assisted in this work in an admirable manner, two teachers being present daily to distrfinite the soup besides also themselves contributing'. The Society is anxious to help in every ease of genuine distress, and after'' making invvestiigation does all in its power to give help required. Each church through its representative can bring under the notice of the secretary or president eases needing help, and eonfidenlnlly each case is helped accordingly. One great, advantage of such a Society as the Dorcas, isprhe elimination of overlapping. Some people have no compunction about appealing to more than one charitable organisation. and the co-ordinating of all the churches in this work, has helped to extend the benefits in those really deserving eases. Parcels of clothing .may lie lefr at Mr. G. F. Smith’s, Afain Street, and appeals made to the ministers of eaelt elum-li.

The committee wish lo thank the following for parcels received during -July:— .Wesd.‘tines W. 11. Nicholas, F. A Mason, F. Robins-on, Wyllie, C. 11 Svinons and live anonymous.