Dear Editor,

PETA not only paid the water bills of 10 Detroit families who couldn’t afford to do so but also supplied free healthy vegan food, including fresh greens and fruit, to residents in the food deserts of Detroit and set up a tip line to help them make animal-friendly, affordable food choices (“Research Charities Before Donating,” Feb. 2). Many versatile vegan staples, including beans, rice, vegetables, tofu and pasta are relatively inexpensive compared to meat, eggs and dairy foods. And because vegan foods are cholesterol-free and generally low in fat, vegans typically don’t have to pay for statins or incur other medical expenses that result from eating animal-based foods.

PETA is an effective and fiscally responsible organization. We make extensive use of volunteers and interns, and our celebrity supporters participate in our campaigns without compensation because they believe in our proven ability to help animals. Our low- to no-cost spay-neuter clinics sterilize animals living with low-income families and provide them with veterinary care. We build doghouses and deliver them (free of charge) to animals forced to live outdoors, serve vegan food at soup kitchens, donate unwanted fur coats to the homeless—the only people who have any excuse for wearing fur—supply schools with computer programs to replace animals in dissections, and much more. I encourage anyone who wants to learn more about PETA’s work to visit PETA.org.

Katie Arth,  media assistant manager for PETA