Philoptochos

Philoptochos takes its name from the Greek word meaning “friend of the poor.” It is the name borne by the beloved philanthropic society of the Greek Orthodox Church, which for more than ninety years has embodied this calling. This initiative carries that tradition forward: to help the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, people with disabilities, and victims of disasters.

The emphasis here is on direct, practical compassion. I favor organizations that feed the hungry, shelter people experiencing homelessness, and stand with those in crisis, while treating the people they serve with dignity. Philoptochos reflects my conviction that charity is not an abstraction delegated to institutions, but a duty each of us carries personally, person to person.

I especially look forward to recommending grants to organizations serving the communities of my contributing partners.