[ Home ] [ Introduction ] [ Biographies ] [ Themes ]   Welfare is an organized social service set up by the government to assist those who have no means of income. People on welfare receive money to obtain essentials. Years ago in Newfoundland and Labrador, the welfare system was known by the slang term the "Dole". Those on the Dole did not receive money directly, but rather food stamps which they would use to purchase the items they needed from a neighborhood merchant. Most Newfoundlanders and Labradorians during the early 1900's would go on the Dole during the winter months for with the fishing industry halted these people had no means of earning a living. During the years of the Great Depression the average amount of money received per person per family was six cents a day.