The thread about missionaries running out of food mid-month got me wondering about how missionaries are financed. Back in the last millennium, like maybe the late 60s, my half brother went on a mission. I seem to recall that my parents sent him a check directly every month to cover his expenses. If he needed more, he wrote and asked for it.

Also, does the money parents shell out toward their childrens' missions count as charitable contribution for IRS purposes? I used to manage a 501 (c)(3) nursing home and one family got its hands slapped for claiming its father's rent; the IRS said something along the lines of - you can't claim charitable contributions if you receive a direct, tangible benefit in return.