Dear Sir, The Channel 4 programme `Benefit Street` and Edwina Currie`s recent comments that people using food banks need them because they waste money on tattoos and dog food have caused controversy recently.

The Watford Foodbank has given out over 2800 food parcels to those in need over the past eighteen moths.

Every week I meet people who are in crisis and going hungry. People come to us for lots of genuine reasons and many of their stories are heart-breaking, so I wanted to write to reassure the people of Watford that the food they so generously donate to us provides a lifeline for people, many of whom are children.

We give food to those who have been sent to us by doctors, health workers, the Citizen`s Advice Bureau and others and they have a voucher to prove they are in need.

We are so grateful to the people of Watford and all the volunteers who run the charity, and hope the recent press won't put people off.

In the Watford Observer a month ago, I saw Edwina Currie was celebrating the good work of one of our retirement homes, something that is much more worthwhile than running down Food Banks.

Yours faithfully, Andrew Tranter

Based on information supplied by Andrew Tranter.