TWINSBURG, Ohio — Hunger can affect anyone when times are tough and for many families, food insecurity extends to their pets.
That’s why the Summit County Humane Society launched its Pet Pantry Program last December. Through an Akron Community Foundation grant, the Humane Society delivered 25,000 pounds of food to 16 local food pantries, said Humane Society President & CEO Diane Johnson-Owen.
The pet food was distributed in less than two weeks, she said.
“The response was overwhelming,” Johnson-Owen said. “The food pantries were so grateful and they needed this food so much that we knew we were onto something and that we needed to continue.”
To help manage the Pet Pantry Program, which became monthly, the humane society brought Adam Karson on board to serve as community outreach coordinator.
Last July, the organization began delivering 4,000 to 6,000 pounds of food every month to nine food pantries across Summit County, he said.
Prior to the pet pantry program, pet owners had often asked at food pantries whether animal food was available, a need many people don’t think about, Karson said. And when pantries did receive a donation of pet food, they ran out quickly.
“So we can come to them and say, 'We want to provide you with a more consistent, sustainable resource,’” he said. “A lot of pantries didn’t even think about that being a reoccurring need, and then, we can come in and offer to fill that need and they’re all just so grateful.”
To provide the pet food, the Humane Society is able to buy large quantities of chow at a discount, Johnson-Owen said. Some of the food is donated and the agency also seeks grants to supplement the program.
Another benefit to the pet pantry is helping keep pets in good homes, she said, because sometimes families will opt to relinquish their animal rather than see it go hungry.
“For some of these people, this is just an episodic part of their life and things will get better,” she said. “But for right now, they're struggling, and we don't want to see them give up pets.”
Johnson-Owen said many people struggling with food insecurity likely share their human food with their animals, and in some cases go without so their pets have a meal.
The Humane Society would like to see the Pet Pantry Program grow, to ensure both two-legged and four-legged family members are fed.
To donate to the Pet Pantry Program, visit the Humane Society website.
The Humane Society also accepts for distribution donations of any-size bags and any brand of dry dog and cat food, including open and damaged bags, the organization said.
The Humane Society also needs more manpower to keep up with the demands of its programs and its new MABEL mobile veterinary clinic. The nonprofit is looking to hire a veterinarian and a registered veterinary technician, Johnson-Owen said. It also needs volunteers and foster caregivers.
Visit the Summit County Humane Society website for more information.