Poor box

Mite box in St Gallus-Kirche

The term mite box (also alms box or poor box) refers to a box that is used to save coins for charitable purposes. Contemporary mite boxes are usually made of cardboard and given out to church congregations during the Lenten season. The mite boxes are collected by the church, and the donations are given to the poor. Mite boxes are popular with children because they can fill them with small change, teaching them the principle of giving to the poor. The Mite box giving promotes the spirit of contributing based on the intent to help others and not on the monetary amount.

History

The origin of the mite box is very old. In 2 Kings 12:9, the priest Jehoiada bored a hole in the lid of a chest and placed it near the first altar, however this was to fund maintenance rather than alms.

Pope Innocent III, at the end of twelfth century, allowed some mite boxes to be placed in churches so that the faithful people may at any time dispose their alms.

Mite

A bronze Widow's Mite or Lepton, minted by Alexander Jannaeus, King of Judaea, 103–76 B.C. obverse: anchor upside-down in circle, reverse: star of eight rays.

The term mite, according to the dictionary, is defined as any of the following:

1. a very small contribution or amount of money, such as a widow's mite.
2. a very small object, creature, or particle.
3. a coin of very small value, especially an obsolete British coin worth half a farthing.

An alms box is a strong chest or box often fastened to the wall of a church to receive offerings for the poor.

The etymology of the word mite comes through Middle English and Middle Dutch from the Middle Low German mīte, a small Flemish coin or tiny animal. In biblical times a mite or lepton was a small coin of almost no worth.

See also

• Lutheran Women's Missionary League
• Lesson of the widow's mite
• Coinage of Alexander Jannaeus, King of Judea