HIDDLESWIFE:
I agree that in-person meetings won't necessarily make more JWs put money in the box if they don’t want to. Just like it won’t make them donate online.
But, there are certain people in congregations who ask for $ privately in person and a few are accustomed to getting ‘green handshakes’. The Covid pandemic shutdown must have put a cramp in these JWs’ style and they must have had to get very ‘creative’ about getting money.. Also, what about brothers going around privately with an envelope approaching certain people asking for money? You can only do these things in person.. (Of course, some nervy idiot can call on the phone and ask (and I would press End Call).
Point is that being in person has its benefits for some not to mention more intrusive ‘control’ over what’s left of the tired-out rank & file JWs.