Recycling for Needed Cash

Like Lisa Williams from Van Nuys, I too am concerned about the success of our new curbside recycling programs (“Strangers Spoil Recycling Plan,” Times Valley Edition Letters to the Editor, Oct. 4).

Eliminating pilferage of recyclable items may very well be crucial to the survival of the program. Williams had suggestions that may be of some use, but I was offended by the last paragraph of her letter and felt compelled to respond on behalf of “out-of-work homeless people” she sees at off-ramps.

“They” don’t carry signs saying “Will recycle for food” because that goes without saying. From my experience, it’s not at all unusual as a way of raising a little cash to help with their needs.

Why do so many of us seem to harbor such resentment of those who have become so unfortunate? Implying that out-of-work homeless people simply expect their livelihood to be handed to them or that their situation isn’t, for the most part, caused by our current difficult social and economic conditions is a cold, unfeeling way of life. We need to cultivate more compassion for our fellow citizens who have met up with circumstances they were unable to control.

SHARON ROSS, Sherman Oaks