Crossword Genius

Charitable donations to the needy members, we hear (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alms

'charitable donations to the needy' is the definition.
(historical term for charity given to the poor)

'members we hear' is the wordplay.
'members' becomes 'arms' (arm is a kind of member).
'we hear' shows a homophone (sound like).
'arms' sounds like 'ALMS'.

(Other definitions for alms that I've seen before include "Charitable relief" , "handed over as charity" , "Charitable donations to poor" , "Charitable donations to the needy" , "Charitable offering" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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