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Food bank clients treated ethically

NANAIMO: Re: Poor shouldn’t have to prove their worth, Letters, Sept. 29.

To the Editor,

Re: Poor shouldn’t have to prove their worth, Letters, Sept. 29.

The following points are in support of the letter written by Lee Masciarelli and based on my experience as a former welfare worker, coroner and food bank volunteer:

* Food banks exist today in Canada because social assistance (welfare) rates are inadequate to provide funding for the basic necessities of life.

*  The food banks have checks to ensure clients are only eligible to pick up once a week. Clients need to provide identification and proof of custody of their children.

* The survival bag is given out weekly is just that – a survival bag.

* Many of the food bank recipients give back, when able to, through donations and volunteering.

* Almost all donations to the food bank go directly to support the distribution of food to clients because the food banks have one of the lowest administration rates of any charitable organization.

No system is without its problems but the food bank volunteers and staff attempt to be fair, ethical and respectful of their clientele and this is reciprocated.

Norma Hinds

Nanaimo