FOR P Witlea to blithely state that people visit food banks just because the food is free demonstrates a depressing lack of empathy and compassion.

Imagine you are a mother of two kids, forced to flee the family home because of an abusive husband, living in a bedsit, forced to use the food bank because your benefits are late and then you read P Witlea’s letter.

Imagine you are a man who’s forced to give up his job to care for his wife who’s suffering from dementia but have your allowance cut because of the spare room, forced to use the food bank, and then you read P Witlea’s letter.

I suggest P Witlea visit a local food bank soon and witness the reality of so many people’s lives and they may then develop some compassion.

Mark Havercroft, Farndale Street, York.