CHARITIES: Begging goes too far

Will the lack of a better word, begging, ever cease? The latest solicitation now includes soap. Not just any soap, but unwrapped, plus toiletries, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.

I mean the campaigns for helping the poor seem to be getting to the point that why work, why do anything including volunteering, because some outfit will surely provide anything and everything one needs from vehicles, coats, clothing, food, turkeys, rent, utilities, on and on and on, but especially money.

I don't mean to demean these organizations for their intentions to help the down and out, but let's face it, when someone's using food stamps to buy steak when you're buying 25 percent hamburger, or buying fresh fruit while you've already forgotten what an apple tastes like, or even you're buying everything that's off-brand or on sale to keep your own budget in check, it gets to be a little too much.

I remember being out of work before food stamps and embarrassingly standing in line for commodities, but being thankful that I could eat even though the quality of food was terrible. I also remember times when no commodities were available, eating black beans and rice or pintos and wienies. I can state for a fact that it was one hell of an incentive to get a job, any job, anywhere, anytime for any pay until things got better.

Worst of all is the fact that many providers of the things for the poor are also giving this in addition to the taxpayer-funded support they're already getting. I just wonder how many people would go to the food banks if they only got a bag of dried beans, a bag of rice, some flour and powdered milk? Or go to a used clothing store to get a coat with some stains, small tears or raveled shirt collars?

I bet it'd sure shorten the lines.

PAUL UNDERWOOD

Saint Maries