Charity

Charity is giving help—especially money, goods, or time—to people who are poor, sick, or in trouble. It can also refer to organizations that exist to provide this kind of help.

“Charity” comes from Old French “charité” and Latin “caritas,” meaning “love” or “affection.” In religious texts, it originally meant a deep, selfless love, which later narrowed into the idea of helping the needy.