I would like to address some of the comments made in print regarding low-income and homeless communities, and the benefits that they receive.
There seems to be a misconception that all low-income and homeless residents have become, or are so, due to drug use/alcohol use/mental illness. I, as an example to the contrary, became homeless because my water well at my country home went dry. I did not have access to the $16,000 it would have taken to re-dig the well. I became homeless, and by the grace of God, I am now in a small program for chronically homeless women, where I share an apartment with two other ladies. I am trying to get back to some semblance of a “normal” life.
General Assistance and Food Stamps aid me in these efforts. With this aid, I also support my officially certified service dog, as there is not aid that I am aware of to help with his food, supplies, or health care.
Please do not paint the low-income and homeless with a broad brush. There is a huge spectrum in these communities.
Addressing the food box replacing Food Stamps issue, I would like to ask the community how a homeless citizen would store or prepare food box supplies?
And in several articles recently by DJ Becker, she seems to cite a very narrow slice of Madera’s non-homeless and non-low-income populations, skewing her reporting to only one side of the story. I would invite Ms. Becker to speak with me regarding the population she is reporting on.
In fact, I have made numerous attempts to contact Ms. Becker to give her more accurate information for her pieces on this population. I have tried contacting her through the Madera Tribune, including Mr. Doud, with no success. I understand she is a freelance reporter, but somehow she communicates her column to the Tribune.
Thank you for your attention in this matter.