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Announcing Caring Partnership For Free Pet Food Resources In Berks County

by Humane Pennsylvania

Feb 12, 2019

Reading, PA – The Humane Society of Berks County, a partner of Humane Pennsylvania, is excited to announce their partnership with St. John’s German Lutheran Church Food Pantry to provide critical pet food resources to pet owners in need through Spike’s Pet Pantry.

Spike’s Pet Pantry is a pet food bank program which provides resources, specifically food, and nutrition education for pet owners. The ultimate goal is to prevent pet surrender due to food insecurity or temporary hardship.

Spike’s Pet Pantry

This collaboration between Spike’s Pet Panty and the food pantry supplied by the Greater Berks Food Bank through St. John’s is in alignment with the mission of Humane Pennsylvania to provide accessible resources for families facing pet food insecurity. As opposed to families having to surrender their furry family member due to momentary difficulties, Spike’s Pet Pantry provides proper nutrition for pets to remain in their familiar and loving environments.

Beginning Thursday, February 14, 2019 and continuing throughout the year, provided adequate donations for Spike’s Pet Pantry are available, pet food resources will be offered to community members the second Thursday of each month during the church’s food pantry hours.

During the planning of this essential partnership, Pastor Sonja Ware shared this powerful message with the team…

“Last month was the first time we offered free pet food at our pantry. I met one of our regular pantry clients, an elderly single woman, at the door as she was leaving with a big bag of cat food. Her face was beaming. Pointing to the bag, she exclaimed: “Thank you so much for offering pet food to us! This makes such a big difference!”

She speaks for many of our clients, especially those who live alone or those who struggle with physical or mental illness amidst the challenges of poverty. In many cases, pets become important companions giving people a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Pets love unconditionally and are a vital bridge out of the isolation of loneliness.”

One of the most effective ways to decrease the number of animals in shelters is to keep them from entering in the first place.  When hard times lead good pet owners to make the decision to feed their pet or feed their family, Humane Pennsylvania’s Spike’s Pet Pantry is there to make that decision a little easier.

INFO: Visit https://humanepa.org/services/spikes-pet-pantry/ to access more information about Spike’s Pet Pantry or contact Tawny Kissinger, Lifesaving Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] or call her directly at 610-921-2348 ext. 218.

For specifics regarding the St. John’s German Lutheran Church Food Pantry, please contact St. John’s German Lutheran Church at 610-875-0015.

SOCIAL: Use the hashtags #SpikesPetPantry and #NoPetHungry to follow the relief efforts on social media.

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