A greater need

Re “Economy tests private schools’ fundraising,” March 23

Celebrities hawking “giving” to help pay hefty school tuitions seems outrageously insensitive. Though schools say they are economizing on their fundraising efforts, they are still holding “gala dinners” to help supplement $25,000 annual tuitions for “middle- and even upper- income families” who’ve had financial setbacks.

The Los Angeles Unified School District reported last year that more than 12,000 of its students were homeless. I’m sure that number has grown. Nonprofit agencies that help the most needy are struggling right now, with less funding and fewer donations. Homeless families are sleeping in their cars, in overcrowded shelters and even on the streets.

I can’t help but think that there is a “let them eat cake” attitude at these schools.

Maxine Moshay

Los Angeles

The writer is director of development for Beyond Shelter, a nonprofit that works with homeless families, and is a former executive director of the Beverly Hills Education Foundation.