Pets are part of the family and when economic challenges hit sometimes our most vulnerable suffer too. It takes a community to end food insecurity for people and pets! Boys &Girls Club of Santa Cruz County teen group joined with Gracie’s Pet Food Pantry to distribute pet food to pet owners in need at local Aptos food bank!
In June 2014, long time animal advocate, Tara McCabe, started Gracie’s Pet Food Pantry (named after her beloved Dalmatian rescue dog) to provide a resource bridge for pet owners trying to hang on to pets until they can stabilize their situation. Keeping pets with their families is what Gracie’s (a 501C3 non-profit) is all about. Since, June of 2014, thanks to generous donations of pet food by Pet Pals, Gracie’s has helped just over 200 families and seniors with feeding their pets.
Last month, The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Cruz County helped Gracie’s Pet Food Pantry to conduct a pet food drive and provide pet food to low-income pet owners in need of help. Every week Second Harvest Food Bank provides fresh produce to almost 150 people per week at the Inner Light Ministries’ location. The numbers of people in need has increased dramatically since 2008.
On Thursdays at the Inner Light Ministries food distribution provided by Second Harvest Food Bank, the volunteers for Gracie’s and the Boys &Girls Club of Santa Cruz County teens will also hand out pet food to families in need.
After the pet food distribution, Marianne’s Ice Cream in Aptos is providing free cones to these teen volunteers.
For more information on ways you can help stop food insecurity for pets and families, contact Gracie’s Pet Food Pantry at 831-233-8168 or the website at graciespetfoodpantry.org.