Do you believe that if communities actually helped one another in times of need then we’d have little need for government welfare?

Question

Granted I know it’s a pipe dream to hope for such a thing, but if in the US (for example) we started caring more for each other and making the effort to help one another more hands on that it’d make a significant difference in the need for social services?
What about churches? If they helped the general public and community nationwide?
Thoughts?

Answer

I could talk about this for hours honestly. 
Communities DO help each other in times of need already. Damn near every neighborhood in my city has food pantries, community meals programs, regular health fairs and various other social service programs and agencies. 
The problem is that it’s a bunch of different entities that don’t coordinate, and many times are run by unpaid and/or untrained staff. They’re just not comprehensive enough. 
Take federal food assistance as just one example, it’s considerably more efficient, can be customized to personal needs, and results in private companies being reimbursed for products. While food pantries take what they can get for free, and can’t offer foods that work for everyone. Any restricting of federal services only over burdens these places.

Answer

That's a no for this one. Maybe in certain communities, maybe it could work. The government helps everyone regardless of race. It's not always clean cut, but people get the help they need. The government won't deny you food stamps for identifying as a woman. They won't tell you that you can't have housing assistance because you're gay. I'm sure they'd love to, but they don't. People would. It's unfortunate but churches would. People also believe that helping someone once is good enough. Whereas the government assistance will keep coming as long as you need it. Communities wouldn't set up an income bracket in order to the the type of help people need. They'd assume "Oh Sally what the shit has a job, she shouldn't need any help." People judge. The governmental assistance program is set up not to.

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Yes. I think resource sharing and altruism is beneficial for society. Greed just hinders social progress.

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I do think communities help each other when they can—-probably more than people think. On the flip side I don’t think it’s always as simple as communities just “not bothering” to help. In some communities, neighborhoods, and towns everyone is struggling. There are places where a a large percentage of an entire town will be living below the poverty line. So if they are struggling to pay their own rent or to put food on the table for themselves is the reason they aren’t helping their neighbor because they “can’t be bothered” or is it because they actually just can’t? 
I think community-based programs can help, but their reach and abilities can only go so far and taking away government assistance would make the burden on them even greater. It’s just not that simple. 
What I do think would be helpful would be for people to stop looking down their noses at government assistance and treating it as some moral failing or awful blight on society. These programs were created because there was a need and I’m glad they exist.

Answer

I think welfare was born out of necessity because private charitiessimply  werent comprehensive enough. I do think private charities can help fill a need but government assistance is much more accessible for most people.  I know from working in healthcare that there is a lot of assistance out there for the underinsured but the problem is finding out about them. Most people end up drowning in medical debt because they're simply not aware of the resources available. Programs like Medicaid are more accessible and easier to apply for. But I do think its wonderful there are private charities to help people who dont qualify for Medicaid but are still underinsured,  I just wish there was a way to make these resources more accessible 
I just used healthcare as an example because thats what I'm most familiar with but I think the same applies to all assistance

Answer

I don’t know where you live, but as another commenter posted, I don’t think that people realize how many services and resources there are for people in need wherever they are. Churches and religious organizations always have some form of community service program. Nearly all of them have a food pantry as well as other resources for helping those who need it.
I volunteer at a food pantry that also provides services like once a month someone comes in to help people find jobs and build resumes, they also have resources and contacts available to help people navigate through getting SNAP benefits, housing assistance, help with utilities, etc...I didn’t know all this existed until I was working with this organization...you don’t know unless you look.

Answer

Is it wrong that I think welfare is communities helping one another?
Welfare the way I think of it is basically having the government broker the deal to help those less fortunate

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YES!! wtf do we need government for?!

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That is reality right now. All of the homeless shelters in my area are volunteer run by non-profits. There are tons of volunteer food pantries and food kitchens (I dont think there are any run by government assistance other than direct like snap and such). At my church we have a discretional fund, where if someone is late on rent or something they go to the pastor and she has money to give them if needed. The volunteer community is huge and doing wonderful things, it's just not enough.

Answer

Communities with high poverty rates don't have the resources to help. This is why the govt does.

Do you believe that if communities actually helped one another in times of need then we’d have little need for government welfare?

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