The basis of Church welfare programs is
individual self-reliance, not a handout that might rob the receiver of self-respect.
Members are encouraged to provide for themselves before calling on others
for help. Those who need additional help turn first to their families.
When members and their families have done all they can and still have
welfare needs, the Church provides temporary, life-sustaining help so
that the family can get back on its feet.
Local leaders determine needs by consulting with the individual or family.
The bishop, who is the leader of the local congregation and who knows
his people, asks those who need help to accept a work assignment tailored
to their abilities. They may be asked to work in a Church welfare operation,
beautify the grounds of the local church, or give service to other needy
members. Whatever the assignment, the Church believes that people who
work for what they receive are more likely to preserve their self-respect
and maintain their self-reliance.
Financing for Church welfare programs comes from an unusual source.
Latter-day Saints fast -- that is, do without meals -- one day each month.
The value of the meals missed, or more, is donated for the care of the
poor and needy. In addition, volunteers provide a substantial amount of
the work on Church welfare farms, in canneries and in other facilities.
During 2003, volunteers gave over 563,800 man-days of labor.
Church Welfare Services includes employment rehabilitation and placement,
commodity assistance, and education. In 2003, Church employment centers
placed 87,092 people in jobs in the United States and Canada and 88,306 internationally. Service locations include storehouses
(113), canneries (105), employment centers (222), Deseret Industries thrift stores
(45)
and priesthood-managed production projects (63).
LDS Family Services, a separate nonprofit corporation, receives a grant
annually from the Church to provide adoption, foster care and counseling
services in 65 offices.
Over 3,000 welfare missionaries currently serve without pay in dozens
of countries, sharing their skills in production, employment, education,
and social and medical services. The Church and its members have sent
relief to victims of 155 major disasters since 1986.
When communities are stricken with major disasters and face difficulties
beyond their abilities to meet, the Church calls upon an effective and
sophisticated humanitarian aid program. The objective is to help the needy,
without regard to religious affiliation, ethnicity or nationality, or
any other consideration.
Humanitarian assistance rendered has reached 154 countries and is valued
at tens of millions of dollars annually. Since 1985, supplies that have
been distributed include 45,247 tons of food, 5,943 tons of medical equipment,
57,227 tons of surplus clothing and 5,011 tons of educational supplies.
The Church has established Latter-day Saint Charities, an organization
that distributes food, offers assistance during times of disaster, funds
and encourages projects that benefit stricken communities, teaches self-reliance
and helps people begin small business enterprises in their own homes.
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