Final answer:
Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity to assist those in severe poverty. Historically, religious organizations have been crucial in helping the poor, particularly during times like the Great Depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual who founded the Missionaries of Charity to serve those experiencing dire poverty, completely relying on divine providence, was Mother Teresa. In a broader historical context, religious organizations have played a significant role in providing assistance to the impoverished, especially when governmental relief efforts were lacking or non-existent.
This was particularly evident during the early 1930s and the era of the Great Depression when charities, churches, and missions were often the only sources of aid for the destitute. The history of missionary work is tied to the broader efforts of people devoted to their faith to bring both spiritual guidance and practical relief to those in need, which can also be a reflection of the social gospel movement that emphasized the application of Christian ethics to societal issues.