What is a almoners in the middle ages?

An almoner (Anglo-Norman French almonir) was a Church official responsible for giving alms to the poor; alms could be in the form of food, clothing or money. Such charity was considered to be a virtuous act.

Monasteries often appointed a brother monk to be almoner and he would distribute any leftover food from the monastery kitchen to the poor people of the area - monks were advised not to wipe their knives on the bread after meals in order to keep the excess bread clean.

Bishops and archbishops might have their own permanent almoner and even some kings had one.