We started a Pet Food Pantry in February 2024 and it has been very successful. The two founders work full-time jobs and do this in our spare time. (LOL)
Check out our website for information under the Pantry Tab. (We are not affiliated with any shelter; we are an independent 501(c)3 organization. Our mission is to keep animals out of the shelters and in their homes.)
- I suggest you file as a 501(c)3 organization so that all donations are deductible. You can get more donations (monetary and product) that way. There are several references online that will show you how to do that. But you will need to have a Board of Directors then and there are rules for that (like 51% or more of the Board can't be family members, etc). There are strict rules that have to be followed to ensure you don't lose your charity status. (My background is 32 years in non-profits.)
- If you just planning to put a shed-like structure up and do it like a "blessing box" then this would not be necessary. It really depends on what you are thinking.
- We do not break the bags into smaller bags like many pantries do simply because we don't have the resources/volunteers to do that. We do mark through the UPC code so that people can not return the food to the grocery store for money. (I volunteered at the local people food pantry and learned this there.)
- We require individuals to fill out a form with demographics that we collect so that we have them when writing grants (senior citizen, veteran, disabled, unemployed, etc.) But - that would not be applicable for a blessing box type set up.
- Ours is a once a month pantry distribution and we have fed nearly 3000 animals since February 2025.
- Churches in our area do monthly food distributions - you might see if anyone in your area does that and you could tag onto them.
- My biggest suggestion is for you to think the idea through and determine what scale you are looking at, determine what funding you need, and who is going to help you. Basically you need a business plan to get started -- so many people want to see that your ideas are fleshed out --- not only funders but it was even required by our insurance agent.
- Search "pet food pantries" online and look at the websites of those that are currently running.
- Pet food is heavy. You'll need someone who can lift the bags.
- One thing we found is that many businesses will not donate excess inventory or open bags to us because of corporate rules. It's very discouraging to see the pet food go to waste.
Good luck!
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Karen Kirsch
Co-Founder
Spayed and Aid
KY
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-15-2024 09:35 AM
From: Audrey Turner
Subject: Pet Food Pantry
I am starting a pet pantry for a community project through school and am honestly really lost, so I could use some help on the basics. I'm not sure how to start or maintain it. I'm planning on putting an actually wooden pantry out in the community where people can go and get anything out of it as well as put anything they can contribute into it. I'm thinking of doing a drive to get it started and get supplies into the pantry, but I'm not sure how to organize that either. Please let me know if you know anything that could help. Thank you!!
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Audrey Turner
NA
NA
MO
Original Message:
Sent: 01-10-2024 06:20 PM
From: Karen Kirsch
Subject: Pet Food Pantry
I am starting a 501(c)3 pet food pantry and intend to distribute free pet food to families in need in hopes of keeping pets in their homes and out of the shelter. Does anyone have experience with this and/or advice to offer?
#CommunityPartnerships*
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Karen Kirsch
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