Alms for the Poor

Before the "safety net," was established, taking care of the very poor fell to each county.

(Kings County Almshouse, mid-19th century, Flatbush, Brooklyn)

We’ve all seen movies set in ancient times, where the poor, dressed in dirty rags and looking pitiful, gather around the rich coming out of the castle or entering the gates of the city and beg for “alms for the poor.” Depending on the plot and inclination of the movie, they sometimes get a cr…