Lots of assistance for the needy

To the editor:

In reference to the comment about city's pay plan: Those children who are hungry have the option of eating a free school breakfast and lunch. In addition, those women you claim only live on $5,000 to $6,000 a year may only bring that much in as cash money, but that does not include their food stamps, WIC, child support, use of food pantries, use of clothing closets, places that give free diapers and formula, utility assistance and so on that we all pay for out of our taxes.

Don't get me wrong, I believe these services are great, but when you say these families have such a small amount of money coming in, realize that our police, fire, social workers and ambulance workers are the worst paid individuals. Not only do they make just enough to get by, their pay also makes them ineligible for all the programs listed above.

So if you are worried about children not eating, worry about children of the individuals who don't get utility assistance, WIC, food stamps, and free lunches. Those are the children who are too embarrassed to admit they are hungry.

LAURA BAUGH, Jackson