LOTS OF JOBS OUT THERE

Re: Downtown soup kitchen closes (story, Aug. 26).

I was absolutely appalled to read how this organization would support
the drug and alcohol use of those who choose not to contribute to
society. One person commented his concern about how people on drugs
and alcohol would be able to transport themselves to the soup kitchen
now that it is moved.

Does anyone agree that if you spend a little less money getting high,
maybe you would be able to afford the bus? Or, here's a concept, go
down to one of the many places advertising for jobs and actually get
one.

There are free services to aid in making resumes and receiving
beneficial skills to obtain a job (my tax money pays for this). In the
article, there is reference to a decrease in people using the soup
kitchen when free money is handed out such as welfare and GST (that
doesn't sound much like the working poor).

I understand that there are circumstances that do require a person to
utilize a food bank and/or a soup kitchen from time to time. However,
aside from being disabled or elderly with a limited income, these
instances should be few and far between. There should be no excuse for
an able working man or woman to find a job, even at a fast-food restaurant.

What happened to a thing called pride? Would these people rather not
go to work and earn a living than line up at the back of some old
building for bread? Last I heard it's not the Depression -- there are
jobs out there and they pay more than welfare.

Unfortunately, people seem to hang on to free handouts and choose to
sit in squalor as they get drunk or high. Why support this? Why not at
least sort out the ones who need these services from the ones who choose it?

Sheri Leason

Prince George