Animal Welfare Professionals

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

I am looking forward to this discussion.  We have been operating a pet food pantry fir the last 7 years, and the burnout from doing so is real. We are looking to pivot and make our efforts make a greater impact.

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

I'm really looking forward to this! I was just recently hired at a shelter in a very rural community who depends on the pet pantry. however, we have very limited funding and really need to find new ways to prolong the program.

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Thanks to the 132+ people who joined us on today's call! The recording is now available to watch on-demand. Below you'll find a recap and resources shared on the call. As a reminder, we will be taking a winter break from Community Conversations for the next 3 weeks. We will see you again on January 13, 2025!

Call Recap

• Welcome from Hosts
  • @José Ocaño (he/him/el), Founder & CEO, Hatching LLC
  • @Geraldine D'Silva, Human and Animal Wellbeing Consultant
    
    
• Question of the Day: What does hunger look like for pets at home?
  • "No special dog food, just available table scraps. maybe less attention and love because the human is stressed and worried" - Kate Sawyer
  • "Sharing meals with the animals." - Kristen Petrie
  • "We recently started helping a woman with a large number of cats that she dearly loves.  She was out of $$ for food so she cooked up a pot of rice and various soups to feed them. " - Joy Smith
  • "Unbalanced nutrition. Pet owners who share the food they have with their beloved pet." - Connie Kile
  • "Feeding my animals first before myself. " - Anita Selby
  • "In imagining what hunger for pets looks like, I picture it tinged with anxiety, being that the pet isn't in control of what and when and how much it will eat" - Stef Mates
  • "Hello from Debbie Sharpe from Don't Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank! The only pet food bank in North Texas - pet food insecurity is a real thing!" - Maria Koegl
  • "Hello, repping Pueblo Spay and Neuter Now. Hunger looks like skipping vet care because the bag of food took all the given resources, feeding them with food bank leftovers, giving them away on social media platforms, increased illness from malnutrition, etc." - Lisa Karst
  • "We heard one this weekend when we tried to have a pet food bank. A person from a neighboring state came to ask for dog food for her six dogs. One of them was sick and had a $200 vet bill. We gave her enough food for the next month. Her words were: my family will be able to have Christmas dinner because of what you gave us. " - Kim Jackson
  • "Our homeless make sure they buy dog food and carry it around so their dogs eat first." - Kim Jackson
    
    
• National Updates
  • Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection is Thursday, December 19 at 12noon Pacific. Tom Candy, a certified clinical animal behaviorist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council in the United Kingdom will talk about Behavior Modification Plans: What works in one place, may not in another… 
    • Register here: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration 
  • Mark your new calendars for Maddie's Insights webcast on Thursday, January 9, 2025:  Benefits of Pair-Housing Dogs on Welfare Measures and Length of Stay with Dr. Erica Feuerbacher, Associate Professor at the School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, and Director, Applied Behavior & Welfare Lab. In this talk, Dr. Feuerbacher will review the literature on cohousing dogs, go into detail on her study methods and results, and discuss the benefits and practical considerations of pair-housing dogs. Register here: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister
  • Humane Canada's 2025 Summit for Animals is going to be held in Montreal, Quebec April 27 - 29, 2025.  The 20% Super Early Bird discount on registration has been extended to December 19! Register here: https://reg.eventmobi.com/summitforanimals/register
  • New on Maddie's University! Just published a few minutes ago-José Ocaño's self-paced course called Hatching Leadership: Live Better, Work Better – enroll for free here: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/hatching-leadership-live-better-work-better
  • Human Animal Shelter Services (HASS) HASS is excited to announce our webinar series for 2025 as the "HASS Industry Leaders Series" hosted by our pilot shelters with a focus on HASS tools and resources. We will also offer additional face-to-face time to talk through issues during office hours within the week after the webinar. This will allow you all time to converse with the presenting director or another representative to get more in-depth on the topic.  We will share the topic schedule soon, but you can put the second Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. CST on your calendars with the first one Thursday, January 9 where we will be focusing on the HASS philosophy. This doesn't mean we won't be throwing in additional webinars throughout the year as we finalize projects to share the findings, so be on the lookout for those as well. Contact: elkie.wills@americanpetsalive.org 
  • Join The Community Cats Podcast for the Online Cat Conference on January 25-26, 2025-a two-day virtual event designed to give you the tools and knowledge to make a real difference for cats in your community. Whether you're a seasoned cat champion or just starting your journey, this is your opportunity to learn from the best and create lasting change for our feline friends.
    Some highlights? Vicki Halls of International Cat Care will be talking about The Jigsaw Puzzle of Sustainable and Effective Cat Population Management. Rebecca Burley of Pennies for People, Animals, and Wildlife Shelters will lead a Compassion Fatigue Workshop with Practical Applications. You'll also go globetrotting with Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats, consider Community Kittens with Rosemarie Crawford of the National Kitten Coalition, and get the latest on feline leukemia from FeLV expert Margaret Tompkins of the Tompkins Foundation.
    • Get details and register at https://www.communitycatspodcast.com  
  • Maddie's Fund Monthly Giveaways!  Enter here for a chance to win:  
    • Open to all who are watching Weekly Community Conversations live or on-demand! Be sure to enter each week you attend! https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm 
    • Maddie's Pet Forum Monthly Giveaway: Maddie's Fund^® is giving away a $3,000 grant each month to one lucky Maddie's® Pet Forum member. You'll automatically be entered to win each month when you start a new discussion, reply to a new post. More info:  https://maddies.fund/mpfmonthlygiveaway
    • In celebration of Maddie's Fund 30th anniversary, Maddie's Fund and Cuddly have partnered to provide $1,000 in prizes monthly, for engaging on a special anniversary-related post on Maddie's Pet Forum. This December, simply comment on this thread telling us how your organization has removed barriers and you'll be entered to win a $1,000 Cuddly prize pack: https://maddies.fund/30YearsGiveawayDecember2024 
      
      
• Presentation: Beyond the Pet Food Pantry:  Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community
  • Guest Speakers:
    • @Jorge Delgado, Community Initiatives Manager at Humane Society of Sonoma County
    • Cel (Celestino) Jimenez, TBC at Humane Society of Sonoma County 
      
      
  • Key Takeaways:
    • Basic understanding of the food chain supply between Food Banks and Pantries  
    • Some strategies and best practices to bring pet food donations and manage a pantry  
    • Highlight the role pet food pantry programs play in the hunger relief effort 
    • How pet food pantry programs can build relationships with hunger relief organizations for future sustainability 
  • Resources Shared:
    • Cal Fresh (in California) https://www.getcalfresh.org/
    • SNAP Programs (USDA food assistance) https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
    • California Association of Food Banks https://www.cafoodbanks.org/
      
      
• Highlights from the Chat
  • "We've been working on a feral cat project and a very kind man has been feeding them rice because that's all he has." - Kristen Petrie
  • "Hello from Santa Rosa Animal Control. We recently started a pet food pantry for our small community. Anyone that is struggling financially can stop by our facility and pick up free cat and dog food." - Crystal Trujillo
  • "Great topic! Charleston Animal Society in N. Charleston, SC has had an Animal Resource Center for seven years now including a nonjudgemental food pantry for pets and their people. Intake prevention must consider hunger. There is so much need in SC.  Recently, Meals on Wheels in our area began considering assisting with pet food delivery to clients too." - Lisa Pearce
  • "Having a pet food pantry helps so much. Here in Brevard County, FL, we have partnerships with WalMart, Target, Tractor Supply, etc. (they used to throw out any returned pet food or pallets of pet food that accidently got opened turning the stocking process) and provide a food pantry for those that need it as well as provide pet food for our local shelters for the unhoused so that they can help us get food to those that need it. It is a much-needed program and we reach over 200-300+ pet owners a month." - Gina Laurenzi
  • "We are in Santa Rosa NM which is a small rural community of less than 3,000 people. We don't get donations as it is very poor here, so we rely heavily on grants to keep the pet food pantry going. We partnered with RezDawg Rescue who is the Greater Good Ambassador for NM and we can get pallets of cat and dog food from them. Our community is very grateful that they can stop by and get food when they're going through a tough time." - Crystal Trujillo
  • "In Farmington NM, we are starting to give gallon bag of cat food and a 10-pound bag of dog food." - Amber Francisco
  • "We are working on workshops to teach people how to properly prepare food for themselves and their pets with recipes that do NOT include salt or other unsafe seasonings." - Michelle Robinson
  • "Pet Smart & Chewy.com" - Michelle Robinson
  • "What was the name or link as to where you can find that info for SNAP?" - Anita Selby
    • "Cal Fresh (in California) https://www.getcalfresh.org/" - Alison @ Maddie's Fund
    • "Also https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program" - Alison @ Maddie's Fund
    • "The Federal one for any state" - Anita Selby
    • "@Anita Selby yes see the USDA link above" - Alison @ Maddie's Fund
    • "I believe I found it for my county" - Anita Selby
  • "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is referred to as CalFresh in California." - Geraldine D'Silva
  • "In Taos, New Mexico, our pet food pantry gave out more than 3200 pounds of dog and cat food in October. We're trying to figure out equitable and non-judgmental ways of managing what's becoming a major part of our operations." - Catherine Horsey
    • "I'm from Farmington, and we have started limiting the amount by re-bagging the food.  I would love to hear more about how your program is working afrancisco@farmingtonnm.gov" - Amber Francisco
  • "FCHSMO has a donation-based food pantry. When we get low, we do a shoutout on social media to let the community know we have a need. We typically put donated brands not used within the shelter for the food pantry. I have been reaching out to our community outreach organizations to make sure we are on their resource lists." - Yvonne Haddox
    • "We are on the same boat! I do like the idea of partnering with community outreach organizations to assist. Might have to look into that!" - Lidia Melendez
  • "Thank you, Jorge and Cel, great presentation!" - Debra Slotboom
  • "Solicit petfood companies for coupons. If your org is near a Purina production center, for example, you may qualify for donations. Local chamber of commerce or biz associations do volunteer work. Ask them to connect with your shelter on social asking for pet food donations. Increasing awareness can help. Don't be discouraged!" - Lisa Pearce
  • "Great presentation, and amazing program you are running!" - Connie Kile
  • "Amazing work, amazing humans! Thank you so much." - Sharon @ MaddiesFund.org
  • "Thank you both for the important topic! Keeping people and pets together is intake prevention and stabilizes the work force!" - Lisa Pearce
  • "Thank you for your kindness!" - Stef Mates
  • "Thank you so much for this presentation.  I am excited to share all of this information with the rescue I volunteer with." - Laura Gesualdi
  • "That is an excellent point...That is something that matters so much in the meeting a person where they are." - Nicole King
  • "Thank you for this. It will help us" - Kim Jackson
  • "I love that you share pets are family members…let's take care of the entire family!" - Sharon @ MaddiesFund.org
  • "I hope to share this with a rescue and the shelter that has started a pet pantry." - Anita Selby
  • "The City of Seattle runs a FREE Pet Vaccine Clinic AND Pet Pantry Food Bank 1x month and it's first come first serve. They serve as many as 150 pets per month...." - Christina Veloz
  • "Jorge & Cel, you guy are the best!!" - Bailey Zweck
  • "Thank you, all!" - Stef Mates
  • "Thank you so much! very helpful!" - Shahar Fearing
  • "Thank you, this was great!!" - Lindsey Stiles
  • "Great presentation!  Love the work you are doing...thank you for your time today!" - Nicole King
  • "Thanks, y'all. I know of four-five pet pantries and I'll start encouraging them to partner with local food banks!" - Lisa Karst
  • "Compassion and dignity..." - Nicole King
  • "Thank you everyone for a wonderful conversation!" - José Ocaño

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Hello,

Was the Disclaimer that Humane Society of Sonoma County uses on their bags for their pet food pantry ever shared? Or am I just blind and can't find it? lol

Thanks to the 132+ people who joined us on today's call! The recording is now available to watch on-demand. Below you'll find a recap and resources shared on the call. As a reminder, we will be taking a winter break from Community Conversations for the next 3 weeks. We will see you again on January 13, 2025!

Call Recap

• Welcome from Hosts
  • @José Ocaño (he/him/el), Founder & CEO, Hatching LLC
  • @Geraldine D'Silva, Human and Animal Wellbeing Consultant
    
    
• Question of the Day: What does hunger look like for pets at home?
  • "No special dog food, just available table scraps. maybe less attention and love because the human is stressed and worried" - Kate Sawyer
  • "Sharing meals with the animals." - Kristen Petrie
  • "We recently started helping a woman with a large number of cats that she dearly loves.  She was out of $$ for food so she cooked up a pot of rice and various soups to feed them. " - Joy Smith
  • "Unbalanced nutrition. Pet owners who share the food they have with their beloved pet." - Connie Kile
  • "Feeding my animals first before myself. " - Anita Selby
  • "In imagining what hunger for pets looks like, I picture it tinged with anxiety, being that the pet isn't in control of what and when and how much it will eat" - Stef Mates
  • "Hello from Debbie Sharpe from Don't Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank! The only pet food bank in North Texas - pet food insecurity is a real thing!" - Maria Koegl
  • "Hello, repping Pueblo Spay and Neuter Now. Hunger looks like skipping vet care because the bag of food took all the given resources, feeding them with food bank leftovers, giving them away on social media platforms, increased illness from malnutrition, etc." - Lisa Karst
  • "We heard one this weekend when we tried to have a pet food bank. A person from a neighboring state came to ask for dog food for her six dogs. One of them was sick and had a $200 vet bill. We gave her enough food for the next month. Her words were: my family will be able to have Christmas dinner because of what you gave us. " - Kim Jackson
  • "Our homeless make sure they buy dog food and carry it around so their dogs eat first." - Kim Jackson
    
    
• National Updates
  • Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection is Thursday, December 19 at 12noon Pacific. Tom Candy, a certified clinical animal behaviorist with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council in the United Kingdom will talk about Behavior Modification Plans: What works in one place, may not in another… 
    • Register here: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration 
  • Mark your new calendars for Maddie's Insights webcast on Thursday, January 9, 2025:  Benefits of Pair-Housing Dogs on Welfare Measures and Length of Stay with Dr. Erica Feuerbacher, Associate Professor at the School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech, and Director, Applied Behavior & Welfare Lab. In this talk, Dr. Feuerbacher will review the literature on cohousing dogs, go into detail on her study methods and results, and discuss the benefits and practical considerations of pair-housing dogs. Register here: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister
  • Humane Canada's 2025 Summit for Animals is going to be held in Montreal, Quebec April 27 - 29, 2025.  The 20% Super Early Bird discount on registration has been extended to December 19! Register here: https://reg.eventmobi.com/summitforanimals/register
  • New on Maddie's University! Just published a few minutes ago-José Ocaño's self-paced course called Hatching Leadership: Live Better, Work Better – enroll for free here: https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/hatching-leadership-live-better-work-better
  • Human Animal Shelter Services (HASS) HASS is excited to announce our webinar series for 2025 as the "HASS Industry Leaders Series" hosted by our pilot shelters with a focus on HASS tools and resources. We will also offer additional face-to-face time to talk through issues during office hours within the week after the webinar. This will allow you all time to converse with the presenting director or another representative to get more in-depth on the topic.  We will share the topic schedule soon, but you can put the second Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. CST on your calendars with the first one Thursday, January 9 where we will be focusing on the HASS philosophy. This doesn't mean we won't be throwing in additional webinars throughout the year as we finalize projects to share the findings, so be on the lookout for those as well. Contact: elkie.wills@americanpetsalive.org 
  • Join The Community Cats Podcast for the Online Cat Conference on January 25-26, 2025-a two-day virtual event designed to give you the tools and knowledge to make a real difference for cats in your community. Whether you're a seasoned cat champion or just starting your journey, this is your opportunity to learn from the best and create lasting change for our feline friends.
    Some highlights? Vicki Halls of International Cat Care will be talking about The Jigsaw Puzzle of Sustainable and Effective Cat Population Management. Rebecca Burley of Pennies for People, Animals, and Wildlife Shelters will lead a Compassion Fatigue Workshop with Practical Applications. You'll also go globetrotting with Bryan Kortis of Neighborhood Cats, consider Community Kittens with Rosemarie Crawford of the National Kitten Coalition, and get the latest on feline leukemia from FeLV expert Margaret Tompkins of the Tompkins Foundation.
    • Get details and register at https://www.communitycatspodcast.com  
  • Maddie's Fund Monthly Giveaways!  Enter here for a chance to win:  
    • Open to all who are watching Weekly Community Conversations live or on-demand! Be sure to enter each week you attend! https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm 
    • Maddie's Pet Forum Monthly Giveaway: Maddie's Fund^® is giving away a $3,000 grant each month to one lucky Maddie's® Pet Forum member. You'll automatically be entered to win each month when you start a new discussion, reply to a new post. More info:  https://maddies.fund/mpfmonthlygiveaway
    • In celebration of Maddie's Fund 30th anniversary, Maddie's Fund and Cuddly have partnered to provide $1,000 in prizes monthly, for engaging on a special anniversary-related post on Maddie's Pet Forum. This December, simply comment on this thread telling us how your organization has removed barriers and you'll be entered to win a $1,000 Cuddly prize pack: https://maddies.fund/30YearsGiveawayDecember2024 
      
      
• Presentation: Beyond the Pet Food Pantry:  Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community
  • Guest Speakers:
    • @Jorge Delgado, Community Initiatives Manager at Humane Society of Sonoma County
    • Cel (Celestino) Jimenez, TBC at Humane Society of Sonoma County 
      
      
  • Key Takeaways:
    • Basic understanding of the food chain supply between Food Banks and Pantries  
    • Some strategies and best practices to bring pet food donations and manage a pantry  
    • Highlight the role pet food pantry programs play in the hunger relief effort 
    • How pet food pantry programs can build relationships with hunger relief organizations for future sustainability 
  • Resources Shared:
    • Cal Fresh (in California) https://www.getcalfresh.org/
    • SNAP Programs (USDA food assistance) https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
    • California Association of Food Banks https://www.cafoodbanks.org/
      
      
• Highlights from the Chat
  • "We've been working on a feral cat project and a very kind man has been feeding them rice because that's all he has." - Kristen Petrie
  • "Hello from Santa Rosa Animal Control. We recently started a pet food pantry for our small community. Anyone that is struggling financially can stop by our facility and pick up free cat and dog food." - Crystal Trujillo
  • "Great topic! Charleston Animal Society in N. Charleston, SC has had an Animal Resource Center for seven years now including a nonjudgemental food pantry for pets and their people. Intake prevention must consider hunger. There is so much need in SC.  Recently, Meals on Wheels in our area began considering assisting with pet food delivery to clients too." - Lisa Pearce
  • "Having a pet food pantry helps so much. Here in Brevard County, FL, we have partnerships with WalMart, Target, Tractor Supply, etc. (they used to throw out any returned pet food or pallets of pet food that accidently got opened turning the stocking process) and provide a food pantry for those that need it as well as provide pet food for our local shelters for the unhoused so that they can help us get food to those that need it. It is a much-needed program and we reach over 200-300+ pet owners a month." - Gina Laurenzi
  • "We are in Santa Rosa NM which is a small rural community of less than 3,000 people. We don't get donations as it is very poor here, so we rely heavily on grants to keep the pet food pantry going. We partnered with RezDawg Rescue who is the Greater Good Ambassador for NM and we can get pallets of cat and dog food from them. Our community is very grateful that they can stop by and get food when they're going through a tough time." - Crystal Trujillo
  • "In Farmington NM, we are starting to give gallon bag of cat food and a 10-pound bag of dog food." - Amber Francisco
  • "We are working on workshops to teach people how to properly prepare food for themselves and their pets with recipes that do NOT include salt or other unsafe seasonings." - Michelle Robinson
  • "Pet Smart & Chewy.com" - Michelle Robinson
  • "What was the name or link as to where you can find that info for SNAP?" - Anita Selby
    • "Cal Fresh (in California) https://www.getcalfresh.org/" - Alison @ Maddie's Fund
    • "Also https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program" - Alison @ Maddie's Fund
    • "The Federal one for any state" - Anita Selby
    • "@Anita Selby yes see the USDA link above" - Alison @ Maddie's Fund
    • "I believe I found it for my county" - Anita Selby
  • "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is referred to as CalFresh in California." - Geraldine D'Silva
  • "In Taos, New Mexico, our pet food pantry gave out more than 3200 pounds of dog and cat food in October. We're trying to figure out equitable and non-judgmental ways of managing what's becoming a major part of our operations." - Catherine Horsey
    • "I'm from Farmington, and we have started limiting the amount by re-bagging the food.  I would love to hear more about how your program is working afrancisco@farmingtonnm.gov" - Amber Francisco
  • "FCHSMO has a donation-based food pantry. When we get low, we do a shoutout on social media to let the community know we have a need. We typically put donated brands not used within the shelter for the food pantry. I have been reaching out to our community outreach organizations to make sure we are on their resource lists." - Yvonne Haddox
    • "We are on the same boat! I do like the idea of partnering with community outreach organizations to assist. Might have to look into that!" - Lidia Melendez
  • "Thank you, Jorge and Cel, great presentation!" - Debra Slotboom
  • "Solicit petfood companies for coupons. If your org is near a Purina production center, for example, you may qualify for donations. Local chamber of commerce or biz associations do volunteer work. Ask them to connect with your shelter on social asking for pet food donations. Increasing awareness can help. Don't be discouraged!" - Lisa Pearce
  • "Great presentation, and amazing program you are running!" - Connie Kile
  • "Amazing work, amazing humans! Thank you so much." - Sharon @ MaddiesFund.org
  • "Thank you both for the important topic! Keeping people and pets together is intake prevention and stabilizes the work force!" - Lisa Pearce
  • "Thank you for your kindness!" - Stef Mates
  • "Thank you so much for this presentation.  I am excited to share all of this information with the rescue I volunteer with." - Laura Gesualdi
  • "That is an excellent point...That is something that matters so much in the meeting a person where they are." - Nicole King
  • "Thank you for this. It will help us" - Kim Jackson
  • "I love that you share pets are family members…let's take care of the entire family!" - Sharon @ MaddiesFund.org
  • "I hope to share this with a rescue and the shelter that has started a pet pantry." - Anita Selby
  • "The City of Seattle runs a FREE Pet Vaccine Clinic AND Pet Pantry Food Bank 1x month and it's first come first serve. They serve as many as 150 pets per month...." - Christina Veloz
  • "Jorge & Cel, you guy are the best!!" - Bailey Zweck
  • "Thank you, all!" - Stef Mates
  • "Thank you so much! very helpful!" - Shahar Fearing
  • "Thank you, this was great!!" - Lindsey Stiles
  • "Great presentation!  Love the work you are doing...thank you for your time today!" - Nicole King
  • "Thanks, y'all. I know of four-five pet pantries and I'll start encouraging them to partner with local food banks!" - Lisa Karst
  • "Compassion and dignity..." - Nicole King
  • "Thank you everyone for a wonderful conversation!" - José Ocaño

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Hello from Idaho...beautifully said Jorge! What I see is people feeding their pets table scraps and often times the result is tooth decay and bacteria that becomes a real problem. for health....pet owners don't understand the impacts of POOR NUTRITION ON THE DOG DEVELOPMENT. CAN YOU PLEASE TOUCH ON THIS. THANKS!" - Christina Veloz

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Hello from Idaho...beautifully said Jorge! What I see is people feeding their pets table scraps and often times the result is tooth decay and bacteria that becomes a real problem. for health....pet owners don't understand the impacts of POOR NUTRITION ON THE DOG DEVELOPMENT. CAN YOU PLEASE TOUCH ON THIS. THANKS!" - Christina Veloz

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

When we picked up the pallet of pet food, we found out the person who was loading the food used to be homeless. As we told this person what we were doing, that person told us their story when homeless with 2 dogs.  This is not my story to tell but I can say the person made sure the dogs ate before they ate. It was human food but those dogs were what kept the person going.  You could say the dogs were ESA's and kept the person going until they got back on their feet.  Although we know table scraps and most human food is not good for pets, sometimes we have to look over that and give what we can to help both the person and the pets.  I have also learned that most of the people that go to food pantries in our area give their pets most of that food.  

This has been a great discussion filled with very helpful recommendations and advice. 

Thank you.

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Hello from Idaho...beautifully said Jorge! What I see is people feeding their pets table scraps and often times the result is tooth decay and bacteria that becomes a real problem. for health....pet owners don't understand the impacts of POOR NUTRITION ON THE DOG DEVELOPMENT. CAN YOU PLEASE TOUCH ON THIS. THANKS!" - Christina Veloz

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Hello from Idaho...beautifully said Jorge! What I see is people feeding their pets table scraps and often times the result is tooth decay and bacteria that becomes a real problem. for health....pet owners don't understand the impacts of POOR NUTRITION ON THE DOG DEVELOPMENT. CAN YOU PLEASE TOUCH ON THIS. THANKS!" - Christina Veloz

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"So, pet guardians can come every day that the pantry is open and receive a bag of food?" - Catherine Horsey

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Instead of giving a bag of food, you give a gallon bag of food? Is that for each dog or just as a whole?" - Kim Jackson

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Yes, just one. A gallon bag of food per day, regardless of the number of dogs in the household. if needed, they could come every day the pet food pantry is open.

At our own discretion, sometimes we bend the rule depending on the situation, example: a person might be coming from a more rural area and can't make it out to us as often we might throw and extra bag or wet food when available.

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Instead of giving a bag of food, you give a gallon bag of food? Is that for each dog or just as a whole?" - Kim Jackson

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

We just started a pet food pantry. It is not open daily. We are doing this once a month.  I have spoke with a few of the food pantry's to see if we can add pet food to those. I am unsure how that would work.

Yes, just one. A gallon bag of food per day, regardless of the number of dogs in the household. if needed, they could come every day the pet food pantry is open.

At our own discretion, sometimes we bend the rule depending on the situation, example: a person might be coming from a more rural area and can't make it out to us as often we might throw and extra bag or wet food when available.

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Instead of giving a bag of food, you give a gallon bag of food? Is that for each dog or just as a whole?" - Kim Jackson

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Hi Kim,

Thank you for taking the initiative to start the conversation about providing pet food at food pantries.  What did you learn from talking to them about this? I think starting once a month is the way to go if you are just starting. How long have you been operating your pantry program?

Best,

Jorge

We just started a pet food pantry. It is not open daily. We are doing this once a month.  I have spoke with a few of the food pantry's to see if we can add pet food to those. I am unsure how that would work.

Yes, just one. A gallon bag of food per day, regardless of the number of dogs in the household. if needed, they could come every day the pet food pantry is open.

At our own discretion, sometimes we bend the rule depending on the situation, example: a person might be coming from a more rural area and can't make it out to us as often we might throw and extra bag or wet food when available.

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Instead of giving a bag of food, you give a gallon bag of food? Is that for each dog or just as a whole?" - Kim Jackson

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

December  14 was the first time we offered pet food for those in need.  It is a new program.  We received a grant for something huge, so I wanted to give back what we could.  We tried putting the word out to a local church having second Saturday Serve for those people to come to the place we were.  It did not work well.  A pallet of dog and cat food was donated to us from an area retail store.  We only gave out 7 bags.   You know how things work. When you think you are supposed to do one thing, something else comes along.  We committed to helping a couple with 30 dogs that had been dumped at a bridge near their home. We gave them 15 bags. Not nearly enough but we also gave to our foster's with dogs.  

As far as the food pantries go, that one is tricky.  We would need to have someone at the food pantry in case someone comes in with a pet who needs food. Volunteers are hard to find. If we do this, it is our responsibility to make sure pet food is at the food pantry at all times they are open.  The food pantries have limits on how many times people can come to pick up food. The same forms used to keep track of people coming to the pantry need to be used for the pets, which I think is provided in this thread.  

To say it is not something you just start is an understatement.  We were at a retail store because of the grant our organization received.  I can say it opened a lot of people's eye's in what is going on with people and pets in our area.  

We did this the Saturday before this presentation.  I learned a lot. (I am the one doing all of this) Since then, I've had a couple of people offer to help me. Yes! I happily accepted the help.  Both of them have been heaven sent.  We still need volunteers to help at the pet food banks when we have them though. That one will be tough as well. 

Hi Kim,

Thank you for taking the initiative to start the conversation about providing pet food at food pantries.  What did you learn from talking to them about this? I think starting once a month is the way to go if you are just starting. How long have you been operating your pantry program?

Best,

Jorge

We just started a pet food pantry. It is not open daily. We are doing this once a month.  I have spoke with a few of the food pantry's to see if we can add pet food to those. I am unsure how that would work.

Yes, just one. A gallon bag of food per day, regardless of the number of dogs in the household. if needed, they could come every day the pet food pantry is open.

At our own discretion, sometimes we bend the rule depending on the situation, example: a person might be coming from a more rural area and can't make it out to us as often we might throw and extra bag or wet food when available.

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Instead of giving a bag of food, you give a gallon bag of food? Is that for each dog or just as a whole?" - Kim Jackson

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Everyday and both locations?  Do you track the recipients?" - Collin Akemoto

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Since buying in bulk can be cheaper than buying individual bags, have the presenters considered asking for equivalent monetary donations instead of bags of food? Or does that not work as well?" - James Pawlowicz

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Since buying in bulk can be cheaper than buying individual bags, have the presenters considered asking for equivalent monetary donations instead of bags of food? Or does that not work as well?" - James Pawlowicz

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Have you tried partnering with any pet food stores in your area?" - Anita Selby

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"How do we change this model to include pet food pantries? Is it a federal policy or local? Have you discussed changing legislation with aspca and/or humane society??" - Christina Veloz

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"We have so many people with multiple dogs that rescues are not helping with. How can we help or change that? It is a huge issue here." - Kim Jackson

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Unanswered question from the chat:

"Is it true that there is a pet food shortage? I have been told that by someone who runs a pet food bank." - Kim Jackson

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Can you tell me where you get those barrels?  What is the size on those?  And how is the label printed?  Those are a wonderful idea we'd like to duplicate.

Karen

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Thank you for the wonderful tips and yes burn out is real. We have a farm, domestic and exotic animal sanctuary in a rural town in Florida. There aren't any food banks locally so we started a once a month pickup for our community about 1 1/2 years ago. We have been lucky to have donations from pet stores in neighboring cities and received a small grant so that we have been able to cover the need each month. Because we are only once a month we give full bags of dog and cat food.  We ask that recipients register and list the number of animals and species they have. We would pull food based on their need. With 77 families and three other nonprofits registered it has become a lot of work so we have adjusted the way we do things. We also originally limited pickup to three consecutive months but had to change that as well. We have families that have been receiving food each month for over a year now.  Our biggest challenge is getting volunteers to help pick up donations, set up for pick up and help on pick up day. 

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

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Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
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Hi Lisa,

I think that you have made the right adjustments to your program and although it sucks that the need continues to increase, you have made helped a lot of people and animals. We need to give ourselves a break and recognize that we are doing everything in our hands. 

It is hard to recruit people to pick donations when you ask them to use their vehicle. Some folks will volunteer if the organization provides the vehicle.  Do you have a vehicle to get donations ?

Thank you for the wonderful tips and yes burn out is real. We have a farm, domestic and exotic animal sanctuary in a rural town in Florida. There aren't any food banks locally so we started a once a month pickup for our community about 1 1/2 years ago. We have been lucky to have donations from pet stores in neighboring cities and received a small grant so that we have been able to cover the need each month. Because we are only once a month we give full bags of dog and cat food.  We ask that recipients register and list the number of animals and species they have. We would pull food based on their need. With 77 families and three other nonprofits registered it has become a lot of work so we have adjusted the way we do things. We also originally limited pickup to three consecutive months but had to change that as well. We have families that have been receiving food each month for over a year now.  Our biggest challenge is getting volunteers to help pick up donations, set up for pick up and help on pick up day. 

Updated 12/16/24 at 2:51pm - Recording now available!

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 12/16/24 at 11am PT for "Beyond the Pet Food Pantry: Strategies to Build Sustainable Pet Food Pantries and Advocate for Your Community‬‭," a presentation by Cel Jimenez and Jorge Delgado from the Humane Society of Sonoma County. 

Pet food pantries are becoming part of animal shelter community programming to prevent animal surrenders and help people in need feed their pet companions.  Although these pantries provide much-needed relief for the community, sustaining them long-term is challenging and stressful due to the lack of support from hunger relief organizations like food banks. It is time to raise awareness regarding pets' food insecurity and advocate for our pet's guardians in need. Please join us to discuss strategies to build a sustainable pet food pantry and how to create support among food banks and pet food pantries to fight hunger in our communities.

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new December 2024 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-dec24-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#CommunityPartnerships*
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------