Charity Begins at Home?

By: Associated Press

Updated: Tue 5:50 PM, Nov 05, 2002

Southerners finish first when it comes to charitable giving.

Relatively poor Bible Belt states have retained their lead in the latest
"Generosity Index" -- a survey that measures the disparity between what residents of each state earn and what they give.

Mississippi topped the list. It ranks 49th among U.S. states in wealth -- but it places sixth in donations.

Next are Arkansas, South Dakota, Tennessee and Louisiana.

New Hampshire came in dead last. It's the sixth-wealthiest state -- but
ranks only 45th in charitable contributions.

The Massachusetts group Catalogue for Philanthropy says it created the
survey to encourage charitable giving.

It relied on IRS tax returns from 2000 -- the most recent year available.

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