Sam Russell’s Pet Provisions owner Diane Shoffner says she realized the need for the Hardin County Pet Food Pantry during the global pandemic.
“I was watching TV during COVID, and they were having cars lined up for food and I thought ‘you know what? They not only need food for themselves but they need food for their pets,’” Shoffner said.
A call to Feeding America led her to Helping Hand of Hope, which approved hosting the Pet Food Pantry at their headquarters at 6796 South Wilson Road in Elizabethtown. Pet owners who register with Helping Hand of Hope may receive one free bag of dog food per month.
“It goes to people that have dogs that are underprivileged that don’t have as much finance to buy their food and that kind of thing, just like they come there for their food for themselves,” Shoffner said.”
The Hardin County Animal Shelter has been battling surging animal populations all summer. Director Mike McNutt says high demand both in and out of the shelter is straining the Pet Food Pantry’s resources.
“Last year the Pet Food Pantry distributed 85,000 pounds of food to those in need,” McNutt said. “This year they’ve already done 75,000 pounds, so that is on the rise. If you are able to donate to the Pet Food Pantry, it would be a wonderful way to help those in our community.”
Shoffner is worried animals may become a casualty of rising prices, which will in turn increase the demand on the shelter.
“The people that need our food the most, they’ve had their rent increased, and they can’t afford more money on their rent plus to continue to feed the dogs,” Shoffner said. “If they can’t feed their dogs, then what happens is they’ll turn them in to the shelter or they’ll just turn them out.”
You can support the Pet Food Pantry by taking donations of dog or cat food, or financial contributions, to Helping Hand of Hope or Sam Russell’s, located at 1104 Tunnel Hill Road. Find more information on the PAWS Shelter Foundation Inc. Facebook page.
