Offertory in the early church

Everyone brought something of his or her own to the altar-bread or wine, olive oil, some other product. No one brought his or her gift in isolation, but rather all joined together in that same procession, offering their gifts as a single offering to God. While some of the bread and winewas laid on the altar to be used fo rthe liturgy itself, the rest of that one offering was laid aside on tables for the poor and needy. Thus, in the direct service of God through their common sacrifice, they were indirectly serving the needs of their brothers and sisters. This was active liturgical participation in the Mystical Body of Christ.
-The Unread Vision, Keith F. Pecklers, p.134