SIR – I have never read as disgusting a letter in the Telegraph & Argus as that penned by John Hall (T&A, September 11). He really is plumbing the depths when he talks about the poor in such disparaging terms.

The vast majority of the people who need help from a food bank have little or no money to buy food.

This is usually because they have been sanctioned by the job centre for no reason, or their benefits have been delayed because of an administrative mistake. They are not feckless – simply desperate. Does he wish them to sell all their clothes and shoes, walk everywhere and be on the streets before they qualify for help from a food bank?

This is just about as callous an opinion as I have ever read. These people should be treated with respect – they are simply normal people who have fallen on hard times.

Or is he of the opinion of Samuel Smiles, who talked of the deserving and undeserving poor? Your opinions are simply disgraceful and, as a Christian, I feel that you are hard-hearted and cruel towards the unfortunate in our society.

Ian Parsons, Alexandra Road, Eccleshill, Bradford