There are two types of alms. One is giving something to someone who is in same quality with you or less quality. Other is giving something to someone who is in better quality than you. Those are called "Puja" in Pali language (massiveness). But paying a renting or giving something to spouse and the children is not alms.
This is a merit but now a days people have get wrong explanations for this. Or they have no clear idea of this merit. Ancient veterans have created those stanza for thanking for the triple gems. Worshiping stanzas are encomiums. Saying those encomiums is merit with lots of charisma. You will gain more merit with more stanzas.