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This DC “Pet Pantry” Helps Food Insecure Families Feed Their Animals

| Published on April 4, 2021

Part of each sale on the iHeartDogs.com store is donated to GreaterGood.org, which offers grants for charities and programs like Rescue Bank. Some organizations could not run without these kind donations. Customers like you are the reason uplifting stories like the one below are possible!

When you live with food insecurity, whether for a long or a short time, your pets are affected too. Not everyone has a safety net, but a Washington D.C. “Pet Pantry” has been working hard to create one. Humane Rescue Alliance’s Pet Pantry provides free pet food to D.C. residents in need.

Photo c/o Humane Rescue Alliance

Humane Rescue Alliance shared:

“Our pet pantry provides a safety net for anyone who needs it. This means folks who live with chronic food insecurity and may know no other life than being economically vulnerable and on the brink of homelessness…as well as people who made $150,000 last year and then are suddenly jobless.”

How Humane Rescue Alliance’s Pet Pantry Works

The Pet Pantry operates on a regular schedule, meaning pet parents can pick up supplies at designated times and days of the week. All they have to do is show proof of D.C. residency on the first visit. After that, they’ll be given an identification card to show the next time.

Within six months of enrollment, participants will need to show proof of up-to-date vaccines and spay or neuter for each of their animals. The Pet Pantry staff is available to help anyone facilitate vaccinations or spay/neuter appointments.

Photo c/o Humane Rescue Alliance

As an example of how important the Pet Pantry is, this sweet Rottweiler Roxy pictured above and her family benefit greatly from their services.

“Roxy is a big girl with an even bigger appetite who loves pets and any treats offered to her. Roxy’s owner doesn’t have a car and walks her four miles roundtrip each month – no matter the weather – to attend our pet pantry on the first Sunday of each month.”

Our animals are our family members, and they shouldn’t have to come second when money is an issue. Humane Rescue Alliance’s work eliminates that stress for people and keeps their pets happy and healthy.

How Your Support Of iHeartDogs Helped The Pet Pantry

The Pet Pantry receives food donations via Rescue Bank, which gets grant funding from GreaterGood.org. When you purchase eligible items on the iHeartDogs store, a portion of those sales goes to GreaterGood.org. So when you support us, you’re supporting them too!

Rescue Bank operates on the national food bank model, accepting food donations from manufacturers, distributors, or retailers. When nutritious pet food nears its “best by” date, has minor packaging defects, or is being re-branded, manufacturers will donate that food. Then, Rescue Bank makes food grants to community-based animal welfare groups.

These donations allow charitable organizations like Humane Rescue Alliance to use their funds for other important things. They also make it so food insecure people in D.C. can continue to care for their pets.

“We don’t ask questions of our clients on why they are coming for assistance. Instead, we smile and say, ‘I’m so glad you’re here!’ Thank you for helping us make this possible for anyone and everyone who comes our way.”

For more information on Rescue Bank, look here.

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