How should your local church help the community?

As part of ongoing research I am trying to find out how a church can help or assist in the local community.

Typically, the church has been an important link in helping those in need; unfortunately the reality is that often some needs are not recognised by the local church and go undetected.

Of course - help can only be provided if the church has the resources and the manpower to assist, but unless the church has the opportunity to make this decision, nothing can be done.

If you have any ideas on how the church can assist those in and around the local community, please let me know.