Sixth annual Season of Suppers strives to double pet food, monetary donations in 2011 to help struggling pet owners
Annual Pet Food Drive Aims to Feed Record Number of Hungry Pets in 2012
Thousands of pet advocates and pet healthcare professionals across the country are taking part in a national campaign pet food drive, Season of SuppersTM, to help vulnerable pet owners feed their hungry pets. This November and December, Banfield Charitable Trust, a pet advocacy nonprofit, hopes to collect more than 70,000 pounds of pet food to give to homebound seniors, the unemployed, and the disabled which is estimated to provide 140,000 pet meals in 2012.
Banfield Charitable Trust is collaborating with Banfield Pet Hospital, whose nationwide network of 780 Banfield Pet Hospitals serve as hubs for pet food drop offs in local communities. Through Dec. 31, bags and cans of both cat and dog food can be donated at any Banfield Pet Hospital, most of which are located inside PetSmart. To find the closest Banfield, use the hospital locator on banfield.com.
Banfield Charitable Trust also hopes to raise more than $100,000 in monetary donations at their website at banfieldcharitable.org and at the pet hospitals in order to fund grants for more than 100 local Meals on Wheels pet food distribution programs after the food donations are depleted.
Struggling economy affects pets too
Government cuts to social service programs for seniors and a high unemployment rate have forced a growing number of pet owners to choose between feeding their pets and feeding themselves. These financial constraints have resulted in increased reports of families surrendering their pets to already overcrowded shelters and seniors sharing their already limited human food supply with their pets.
“We get calls every day from people on fixed incomes who are worried they won’t be able to take care of their companions or feed them,” said Dianne McGill, Banfield Charitable Trust executive director and chief executive officer. “This campaign will help feed thousands of pets whose pet owners are desperate not to lose a companion who brings them joy, stability and emotional well-being.”
In an effort to also raise awareness about pet hunger, PEDIGREE® Brand and Royal Canin® are each donating a pound of food for up to 30,000 Facebook users who visit the Banfield Charitable Trust Facebook page to learn about pet hunger and like the nonprofit’s page.
Drive enriches human services provided by local nonprofits
Hundreds of local community organizations working with vulnerable pet owners such as food banks, animal shelters and Meals On Wheels programs will distribute the pet food donations. Banfield Charitable Trust has recognized a growing demand for pet food donations and has stepped up its grant making efforts to fund local nonprofits such as Lamoille Community Food Share, a human food bank in Vermont. The organization sought funding to launch a pet food pantry citing their clients’ frequent requests for tuna and rice so that they could feed themselves and their pets.
Enid Borden, president and chief executive officer of Meals On Wheels Association of America, said her organization witnesses daily the value helping pets brings to their constituents.
“For the majority of the seniors we serve, the only person they see during the course of the day is their Meals On Wheels volunteer. If they own a pet then they have another companion, but who makes sure that pet receives the food it needs to survive?” Borden said. “That is why we are proud to partner with Banfield Charitable Trust for the sixth year in a row so that we can ensure our seniors remain healthy in their homes alongside their pets.”
Media interested in additional information or scheduling an interview, please contact Banfield Charitable Trust at 503-922-5228.
