Credit: The Evening Telegram,
February 16, 1932.

Give to a worthy cause....

As the need for public relief increased in the winter of 1932, ads like these appeared in St. John's newspapers. Images of hungry, sad women and children were used to urge people to give money to the Civic Relief Fund.

Give to a worthy cause . . . . . .

Would you save a destitute family from suffering? Would you help to lessen the worry and distress that face scores of families this winter? Will you be a Good Samaritan and do a little to help deserving humanity and ease the burden of care and suffering? Every little bit contributed to The Mayor's Civic Relief Fund to aid the deserving poor of this community will help. It will keep little children from going shivering to bed...It will help to supply warmth and comfort to careworn mothers and families that, through no fault of their own, have been unable to provide for their needs.

Give to this worthy cause! Give as mush as you possibly can! The people who will be benefited are deserving of every aid that can be given them. They are the unfortunates whom economic conditions have forced into unaccustomed poverty. You may be more lucky than they...you may have a job and the means of earning a living and providing for your needs and comforts. Will you share a little of your good fortune with them? They MUST be helped! Everyone must do his share. Make your contribution as generous as you can. Every donation to this charitable fund will go a long way toward minimizing hardships that otherwise will be unbearable to many.