Letter: Reader supports minimum wage increase

My purpose for writing this letter is to explain how I feel about the minimum wage. I feel as a single mom, I have struggled over the years due to the minium wage amount. With the minimum wage being so low it has become difficult to be self-sufficient and has caused me to have to rely on government agencies for assistance and it makes it difficult to be able to provide for my family.

I have found myself over the years making minimum wage and having to do without necessities in order to be able to pay my rent and utilities. There are times that I've had to go without food. There have been times that I've had to go without clothing and shoes because I only had enough to take care of my immediate needs like my rent, my light bill and my gas bill.

I feel if the minium wage is increased it will give all single parents the opportunity to properly provide for their children. It also will give them the opportunity to become self-sufficient and not have to rely on government programs like welfare, WIC and Title 19. If minimum wage is increased, it gives hope to those who felt as if all hope was gone. I'm in support of the increase.

Effie McCollum

Cedar Rapids