Does sponsoring a family equal sponsoring an orphan, especially since the charity's representative indicated that orphans receive multiple sponsorships, and that sponsoring a family might bring a greater reward?

Sponsoring an orphan has great merit, for the sponsor of an orphan will be a companion of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in Paradise. It also softens the heart and fulfills needs. Great merit has likewise been reported for sponsoring a widow and a needy person, akin to the merit of a mujahid (striver) in the way of Allah. It cannot be definitively stated that sponsoring a needy family is equivalent to sponsoring an orphan without religious proof. Nevertheless, assisting the needy and alleviating their distress has immense reward, and sponsoring families might be prioritized over sponsoring wealthy orphans.