‘Digging In for Hungry’: Let Needy Help

Re “Digging In for Hungry” (Sept. 24): While it’s nice to gather excess produce for the needy, the dignity of low-income people is better served when excess produce is gleaned by the needy.

While Charlene Turco talks of setting up a network that goes from growers to service providers, I’d suggest she include in the network the service receivers to make the loop complete. I would encourage farmer A.G. Kawamura and Turco to include low-income people in their projects. And in keeping with the Jewish tradition from which gleaning comes (Leviticus 19:9-10), alleviate the busha (shame) of poverty by eliminating the handout and providing a hand up.

JUDY WILLIAMS

Founder, Sunshine Outreach Inc.

Laguna Niguel