Sylvia P.
Yussir has obviously given you the answer you wanted, Yes it seems it was always partly dependant on charitable/community support.
My wife was a schoolgirl in Andreas in the 1940s when each year on the third Sunday in August (Church anniversary) those who could would bring something for those in need.
This sort of practice in various forms was/is not unusual in other parts.
St. Andrews (Kirk Andreas) is a large church which before later alterations could squeeze a thousand in!
The local children were heavily involved and after the presentations, service etc. the goodies were distributed first to those in the Parish.
For example blind Mrs Sayle at the Lhen was always given Sweet Peas.
Canon Maddrell and others would take the rest of the offerings and children in cars down to Ramsey.
One year a child, no it was not a boy, was caught in the rear view mirror scoffing grapes (war time) in the back seat.
The main recipients at that period were Cronk Ruagh, The Cottage Hospital and Grest Home.

Beware the freebees on the imuseum, they are incomplete part batches.
They are from a number of different sources such as Brian, various I.G.I.and BMD all mixed alphabetically and thus repeat errors etc.
Peter.