Help for the Needy

* Re: “In the Shadow of Affluence,” June 10.

I was reading your “On the Edge,” article and feeling sorry for Carina, 7, Filoberto, 5, and Gladys, 3, who “sometimes cry when there is no food.” Then I got to the part that said their 32-year-old mother, Martha, is “unemployed, unmarried and living on public assistance” and she has six children. I contribute food regularly through my church to the Guadalupe Center in Canoga Park. If Martha gets food and assistance from them, I don’t begrudge her the help because I don’t want her children to go hungry, but I wish someone would educate her about birth control. She’s young yet and will very likely have more children.

Of course, the problem is much bigger than just Martha and her family. I’m in Canoga Park all the time; everyone’s pregnant, especially young teenagers. Go to the malls and they’re all pushing strollers. I don’t know what the answer is, but someone has to do something; our resources are stretched to the breaking point. It’s not fair on the taxpayers who are supporting the system, and it’s certainly not fair to the children who are being born into this nightmare!

And while I’m on my bandwagon, it wouldn’t hurt if they’d learn to speak English. I feel like I’m in another country when I go into stores in Canoga Park and the Fallbrook Mall. It should be a requirement, if you want to live here, learn the language.

MADELINE MCDONALD

West Hills