The article “Toilet paper, an ideal gift” (TNT 10/31) reminded readers of the need of toilet paper and feminine hygiene products at local food banks. I’d like to see concerned citizens take it one step further.
Toilet paper isn’t the only thing that food stamps can’t be used for. Dog and cat food, personal hygiene products (bath soap, shampoo, toothpaste), laundry soap and baby diapers are also excluded. I would love to see civic groups, church groups and the general public have drives to provide all of these items to their local food bank.
At a time when food banks are seeing increased numbers of families, and when more first-timers are using food banks, it would help ease the discomfort of their situation if we could offer what most of us consider “luxuries.” (Morehart is the board president of the Puyallup Valley Food Bank & Distribution Center.)
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