Re: 鈥淗ard work and financial plan paid off,鈥� letter, Sept. 13.
I鈥檝e just read the letter from the woman who enjoys her prime rib. Regarding fiscal responsibility, she probably deserves an A. But for empathy, she fails.
She implies that many people had (or have) the same baseline opportunities that she and her husband had. Seemingly, she forgets that many are disabled, chronically ill, single parents left in the lurch or people lacking education and/or marketable skills.
If she were to spend just part of one shift at the Mustard Seed or any similar setup, she would find that many of the needy are employed and work very hard, often doing two or even three shifts in different places. Payment for their best efforts will never get them very far because of high rents. Landlords legally require monthly pay, but too many never consider that low-income people also require food, just like the rest of us.
If the writer could bend just a little, it might remind her that the Mustard Seed welcomes all kinds of donations. Most of those shoppers would be pleased to get tuna and peanut butter, macaroni, breakfast cereal, etc. Beef would be nice, too, and now they have a warehouse for perishables to enable their clients to get healthier and more varied foods.
G.M. Jackson
Victoria
