Ruling on switching to fasting for the expiation of an oath when ten poor people cannot be found

Question:
When performing the expiation of an oath, if we cannot find ten poor people, is it permissible to fast while having the ability to feed them?

Answer:
The poor are present; they are not absent. He must seek them out, whether in his own village or in another village.
The point is that the poor are present, and in large numbers as well. However, he must not be weak in effort; he must seek them out, or appoint a trustworthy person to seek them out in another country if everyone in his own country is wealthy. He should seek them in other villages, and he must appoint a trustworthy person or go himself to seek them. He should not fast except in the case of inability, if he cannot find any poor people.