NEPA Scene Staff

NEPA Pet Food Pantry helping dog and cat owners in need with free distribution on Aug. 1

NEPA Pet Food Pantry helping dog and cat owners in need with free distribution on Aug. 1
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From a press release:

Many people in Northeastern Pennsylvania have been economically impacted by COVID-19 and need help to continue to provide food for their pets in order to keep them in loving homes.

The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, comprised of over 40 individuals and organizations in the animal shelter, rescue, sanctuary, and welfare community, will sponsor the third NEPA Pet Food Pantry distribution on Saturday, Aug. 1.

In only 24 hours since the application went live, already over 50 applications for pet food came in for the Aug. 1 distribution, illustrating the great need in the region.

The NEPA Pet Food Pantry Distribution is sponsored by the Schwartz-Mack Foundation, the Scranton Area Community Foundation, and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation.

The Scranton Animal Shelter Supply House, which is a program under the Scranton Animal Shelter Association – one of the members of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative – will oversee the pantry distribution. Pet owners are able to apply for this opportunity on the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative website. Applications will be open as long as supplies last. Those who want to donate supplies for the distribution can make purchases on this Amazon wishlist.

“The NEPA Pet Food Pantry provides free pet food to pet owners in need during a time of widespread financial distress. The more we can help people provide for their pets, the less likely these animals will be surrendered at shelters because their owners are unable to take care of them,” said Katrina Sonnenberg, speaking on behalf of the Scranton Animal Supply House program under the Scranton Animal Shelter Association.

“It seems like there is a significant need based on the number of applications continuing to come in.”

“The Scranton Area Community Foundation is proud to serve as the convener of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, bringing together many dedicated individuals, shelters, and rescue groups who are working together for the benefit of people and animals in our region,” stated Laura Ducceschi, president and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

“The Animal Welfare Collaborative established the NEPA Pet Food Pantry to help with the economic distress that so many people are facing. It has been well-received – already over 200 pets have been served to date just from the first two distributions.”

The mission of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative is to work on initiatives aimed at ensuring local animals can achieve a happy and healthy life, free from abuse and neglect. The collaborative is comprised of over 40 individuals and organizations in the animal shelter, rescue, sanctuary, and welfare community, including Griffin Pond, In Pursuit of Grace, and Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, among others.

To learn more about the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative or to become involved, visit nepaawc.org or follow the group on Facebook.

Donations to the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative are accepted online at safdn.org or by checks made payable to the Scranton Area Foundation indicating “NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Fund” in the memo mailed to the Scranton Area Community Foundation, 615 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510.

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is on a mission to enhance the quality of life for all people in Northeastern Pennsylvania through the development of organized philanthropy. With assets of more than $40 million and more than 200 charitable funds, the foundation distributed over $2 million in grants and scholarships in 2019. Additionally, through its foundation management services offered to other private and public foundations, the Scranton Area Community Foundation manages assets of more than $31 million and distributed an additional $1.2 million in grants and scholarships in 2019 through assets under management.

As a public 501c3 community foundation, the Scranton Area Community Foundation serves as a steward, a grantmaker, a charitable resource, and a catalyst for change. In addition to the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, the foundation leads various other initiatives, including Women in Philanthropy, the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, and NEPA Moves.

More information about the Scranton Area Community Foundation can be found at safdn.org. For more about the NEPA Pet Food Pantry, contact Brittany Pagnotti, the foundation’s communications manager, at 570-347-6203.