I’m writing in response to the column by Kristen Miale, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank (“Food stamps bill paves path to effective poverty and hunger solutions,” May 10). As a volunteer at the Scarborough Food Pantry, I strongly support L.D. 1584, legislation to provide funding for Supplemental Nutrition benefits that are being cut by the federal government.

Ms. Miale is absolutely correct – food pantries cannot address all food insecurities. Customers at pantries have a variety of financial stressors like chronic illness, a lack of reliable transportation, rising rents or home maintenance problems and family concerns. Some are raising grandchildren. Some have recent surgeries or cancer diagnoses. Many are elderly, living in one- or two-person households and are struggling to get by on small pensions and Social Security. These are people who have worked hard all their lives and are now caregivers for others.

Pantries do their best to get to know each one and offer caring, dignity and nutritious food, but we all wish more for these folks: the ability to choose their own foods from the grocery store rather than depend on the choices we make for them. What if someone received food pantry items that don’t fit with a medical diagnosis?

Food banks and pantries will always be needed to fill in the gaps, but we must push back against the stigma often prevalent toward those who may be “food insecure.” I’ve heard people say, “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Pantry customers are not beggars, and I think they should have the dignity, compassion and freedom to make their own food choices.

Liane Giambolvo
Scarborough