This is a clear way in which the Org disregards a key part of Christian life in the 1st century (which they are supposed to have modelled themselves on).
They've occasionally referred to the "relief ministry", the fact that the early congregations gathered material things to support the poor in their midst - Acts 6:1-6 shows it was not just in times of disaster (eg: famine at Ac 11:28-30 and 2 Corinthians 8-9) but for everyday hardship. In the NWT, Paul calls it a "necessary matter" - so why doesn't the Org encourage and coordinate it? They've never followed that example - quite the reverse.
Following 'direction' from higher up, local congregations are mostly resistant to supporting needy members officially; they prefer to leave it to individuals to do it informally, and even then, they will counsel them not to get too 'involved' because of the danger of fraud or exploitation (I've seen that, and been on the receiving end of it for assisting others, too). But there would be less danger of any fraud and exploitation if the congregations organised such relief properly in the first place, as the Bible indicates they should.
Even congregation meals, parties and other 'gatherings' have been increasingly discouraged. Back before the 2000s, they used to be an accepted part of life for many JWs but GB2.0 seem to have done their best to crush even that 'association', which probably helped some poorer members to sometimes enjoy food and company they otherwise wouldn't have had.
Directing congregation members to state assistance is all very well where it exists and it's legal and possible to get it, but in many countries there is little or none, so what then? Even in countries with a social safety net the eligibility criteria are getting stricter.
Any chance a JW can ask Warwick HQ how they are spending donations?
The point about financial transparency at the top of the Org is a good one. Again, if they were really following a Biblical example, contributions were openly accounted for (donations and materials for building Solomon's temple for example - 1 Chronicles 29:1-7). They expect local congregation accounts and assembly overseers to account for every penny and present detailed accounts, but in true "mote-in-the-eye" fashion, fail to apply the principle of transparency to themselves and their vast income and spending.
