In her recent letter, Lori Koons, who volunteers at the Utah Food Bank, claims poverty does not correlate with scarcity (“Poverty vs. scarcity,” June 21). She states that if you don't have any medical insurance, all your meds are free. I would love to know what program that would be in Utah or anywhere else! I don't have insurance and I get nothing free.
Also, if you receive "free food" in the form of food stamps (which for a family of four is about $250 a month), these are a supplement and have never been intended to be the entire source of food purchases, although for most on food stamps it is exactly that.
Her latest statement is: “those who do not already have their housing paid for have many places to turn to... ." But housing authorities do not pay the full rent; they pay a percentage of the rent. The renter is responsible for the rest, as well as utilities.
Life is hard enough on the poor without having to constantly contend with all those who think being poor and living with scarcity is a ticket to having everything handed to you.
Seanna Williams
Orem