The story on the distribution of funds to the Cohoes fire victims made me sad and angry at the same time ("Victims irked over fund distribution," Jan. 18). I was sad for the people who are still waiting for help and angry at the people who are supposed to be helping them. Seven weeks after the fire, the city passed the money to the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany. Catholic Charities needs to give out checks to those affected, not gift cards or store credit, and they need to do it now. This kind of foot-dragging does a disservice to both the victims of the fire and the donors who gave so generously to help them.

Joanne Murphy

Albany