poor box

American  

noun

1. a box, especially in a church, into which contributions for people in need can be dropped.

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poor box British  

noun

1. a box, esp one in a church, used for the collection of alms or money for the poor

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Etymology

Origin of poor box

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

"Hillsong followers believe that the money they put in the poor box goes to the poor."

From Salon • May 27, 2023

In 2005, a worker at a church in Jamaica, Queens, saw Mr. Krah rooting around with a hanger in the slit of a poor box, according to a criminal complaint.

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2016

With the recent Fantastic Four reboot’s poor box office performance, a lot of people are wondering if superhero fatigue is setting in.

From Time • Aug. 20, 2015

The play, which runs just 70 minutes, met a quick demise following mostly negative reviews and poor box office.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2015

Healed in both body and soul, Pedro Tercero Garcia made his way to the capital with a bundle of clothes and a few coins the priest had taken from the poor box.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende