Initially, the poor box funds were used primarily as emergency assistance to people in necessitous circumstances who had dealings with the courts. In recent years, the massive increase in the need for emergency relief has resulted in increasing demands on the funds by persons referred to the poor box by welfare organizations unable to otherwise meet their needs. A review of present arrangements in the administration and distribution of poor box funds revealed deficiencies in the areas of efficiency, accessibility, coordination between courts and welfare organizations, assessment of need, and confidentiality. While it is recommended that the arrangements whereby the funds are administered by the magistrates' courts be maintained, it is suggested that court clerks be better equipped, through training and the establishment of guidelines for administration, to handle applications for assistance. In particular, clerks need to be provided with the means for collaborating more appropriately and closely with welfare agencies, and necessary accountability mechanisms need to be established. Appendixes provide additional administrative, historical, and statistical information on the poor box funds.