In March 2014, Edwards Street Fellowship Center and Southern Pines Animal Shelter (SPAS) partnered to open a pet food bank to provide dog/puppy and cat/kitten food for low-income pet owners. This project aligns with ESFC's goal to “provide a helping hand to the poor," many of whom acquired their pets in more financially stable times. This pet food bank, which provides supplemental food to food pantry clients one time per month, is a first for the Pine Belt.
Why establish a pet food bank?
For Edwards Street Fellowship Center, the aim of the pet food bank is two-fold:
1. ESFC wants to ensure our food pantry clients are not neglecting their own nutritional needs to feed their pets. Many people, when faced with the choice of whether to starve their pet or be hungry themselves, will share their “human food” with their pet.
2. ESFC wants to reduce the burden of pet food expense so more loving owners can keep and care for their pets. Research confirms that pets play an important role in many households, particularly among the elderly and disabled.
How much does this cost to operate?
The pet food bank is an expense-free ministry for ESFC. Pet food is donated through the Southern Pines Health Pet Clinic or directly to Edwards Street Fellowship. ESFC only distributes pet food when it is received through donations; food pantry funds are not be used to purchase pet food.
Donated funds designated for the pet food bank purchase dog and cat food, as well as Ziploc bags to store repackaged bulk food.
How can I help?
Collecting and repackaging dog and cat food is a great activity for birthday parties, Vacation Bible School, small group or Sunday school get-togethers, school groups or Scout troops. If you have a group that would like to participate, please package six cups of cat food or eight cups of dog food per gallon Ziploc bag. Before your packaging event, contact us at ESFC and we will email you a copy of the insert sheet that we use to clearly mark each package as cat or dog food. Donations of dry and canned pet food can be dropped off at the Southern Pines Healthy Pet Clinic, 1304 Hardy St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or at ESFC, 1919 Edwards St., 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays.
Why establish a pet food bank?
For Edwards Street Fellowship Center, the aim of the pet food bank is two-fold:
1. ESFC wants to ensure our food pantry clients are not neglecting their own nutritional needs to feed their pets. Many people, when faced with the choice of whether to starve their pet or be hungry themselves, will share their “human food” with their pet.
2. ESFC wants to reduce the burden of pet food expense so more loving owners can keep and care for their pets. Research confirms that pets play an important role in many households, particularly among the elderly and disabled.
How much does this cost to operate?
The pet food bank is an expense-free ministry for ESFC. Pet food is donated through the Southern Pines Health Pet Clinic or directly to Edwards Street Fellowship. ESFC only distributes pet food when it is received through donations; food pantry funds are not be used to purchase pet food.
Donated funds designated for the pet food bank purchase dog and cat food, as well as Ziploc bags to store repackaged bulk food.
How can I help?
Collecting and repackaging dog and cat food is a great activity for birthday parties, Vacation Bible School, small group or Sunday school get-togethers, school groups or Scout troops. If you have a group that would like to participate, please package six cups of cat food or eight cups of dog food per gallon Ziploc bag. Before your packaging event, contact us at ESFC and we will email you a copy of the insert sheet that we use to clearly mark each package as cat or dog food. Donations of dry and canned pet food can be dropped off at the Southern Pines Healthy Pet Clinic, 1304 Hardy St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or at ESFC, 1919 Edwards St., 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays.
