Unfettered Letters

Food stamps in Johnson County

I was puzzled when I first read about Catholic Charities’ concerns that people in Johnson County were not signing up for food stamps, even though they were eligible. The reason is obvious: They do not think they need them, even if they are entitled to them.

Most of us would think this commendable. Apparently, people whose job it is to give out government money find this difficult to understand.

It makes me wonder why an organization dedicated to helping people should think there is something wrong with people who don’t want to become dependent on government handouts. And why Kansas wants to spend money to promote such dependency. Maybe it’s just the embarrassment of evidence that hunger in Johnson County is not the severe problem some people think it is.

Robert Reimers
Gardner

Food stamps experience

I read your “food stamp challenge” (5/30, FYI). I was on food stamps for about two years. I had two children. When I first got my food stamps, I blew through them like water. Before the middle of the month, I was out.
I took a class after that to learn how to stretch them. After the classes, stores like Aldi’s and the bread store outlet became a way of life to us. There were a few months that I had a few dollars left over to save for better meals.
The one thing people don’t realize is that food stamps don’t pay for paper products. Good luck trying to get toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, laundry soap and tampons.
I do appreciate being able to get the help I needed at the time.
J. Smith
Lone Jack

Healthy food is costly

After reading “Try improving your own health...” (12/15, A1), I couldn’t help wondering how many legislators have to think twice about the price of oranges, apples, low-fat cheese or various cuts of meat. It is expensive to eat healthy.

How typical of them to cancel the meeting in southern Missouri, where many poor reside. I think they have taken a page from President Bush’s book: Meet only with hand-selected, friendly people.

You get what the majority vote for. I hope everyone remembers that when it comes time to vote again.

Bobbie Brennaman
Grain Valley, Mo.

Protect food stamps

As the country’s poverty rate rises and organizations like Harvesters (Kansas City’s only food bank) struggle, the food stamp program is critical in order to make sure that all children have a healthy start in life. More than 80 percent of the families that receive food stamps have children.

Senate Republicans have dropped back from making major cuts in this program. But now House Republicans have their eye on food stamps as a possible place to cut funding.

Congress needs to focus more on making sure that all Americans’ basic need for adequate, nutritious food is met.

Judy Perry
Kansas City