What's New!
This is where we'll announce what's new with the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry! INCOME LIMITS START IN JANUARY 2011 - In order to make sure that the pet owners we are assisting are truly needy, we are instituting income limits effective January 2011. See your home page for detailed information. MARCH 18, 2010 . The folks behind the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry – Recycled Doggies and the Pet Alliance – are pleased to announce the next distribution date for pet food will be Saturday March 27, 2010 at the Queen City Self-Storage facility, located at 4775 Red Bank Expressway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 (located behind the Red Bank Emergency Vet Clinic just off I-71 at the Red Bank exit). Distribution will take place from 10 am to 12 noon. Pantry staff and volunteers will be on hand to greet Pantry clients, register clients to learn about their pets’ needs, and provide clients with pet food. The Pantry will also be accepting food and financial donations from the public during the 10 am to 12 noon timeframe on March 27th.
The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry’s grand opening and first distribution on March 6, 2010 was a huge success, with Pantry volunteers distributing a total of 4626 pounds of pet food, 650 pounds of cat litter, and lots of pet treats to 137 Pet Guardians, thereby ensuring that 437 cats, 277 dogs, 3 guinea pigs, 2 ferrets, 3 turtles, and 9 rats will not go hungry.
There is no income limit for Pet Guardians seeking pet food assistance from the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry. The Pantry will provide temporary food assistance (up to a reasonable limit based on the number of pets in the family and subject to food availability) to all Pet Guardians who come to the Pantry and state in writing that they are currently unable to afford food for their pet(s) and that they need assistance from the Pantry in order to keep their pet(s). In addition, Pet Guardians requesting pet food assistance from the Pantry must: Pet Guardians interested in obtaining an application and a copy of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry eligibility guidelines can contact the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry at cincinnatipetfoodpantry@gmail.com or by calling 513-275-5842. In addition, the eligibility guidelines are available on the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry’s website, www.cincinnatipetfoodpantry.org. Applications will be available at the Pantry on distribution days as well.
Because the need is so great, the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry expects that the current stockpile of pet food and cat litter will go quickly. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is seeking individuals and businesses to donate pet food and/or money each month to ensure the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry can continue to fill the need of Pet Guardians who need assistance beyond this initial distr ibution date. One bag to hundreds of pounds are each appreciated and needed. Each bag MAKES A DIFFERENCE to someone who is struggling to keep their pets. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is also asking local businesses to consider placing a donation bin in their place of business to collect donated food for the Pantry. The Pantry’s goal is to be able to provide two weeks worth of pet food (up to a reasonable limit depending on the number of pets) to Pet Guardians during each distribution event, but the ability to meet this goal depends on the donations received. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is looking for a more permanent location to store food and hold distribution events. If you have a warehouse or office space that you would be willing to allow the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry to use, please contact 513-275-5842 or cincinnatipetfoodpantry@gmail.com. All donations are tax-deductible.
Individuals interested in volunteering at the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry on distribution days or holding their own pet food drives to help restock the Pantry should email cincinnatipetfoodpantry@gmail.com. ## ____________________________________________________________ FEBRUARY 26, 2010 . The folks behind the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry – Recycled Doggies and the Pet Alliance – and the amazing volunteers that have come together to support the Cincinnati area’s first pet food pantry have been busy this February collecting donated food and raising funds to stock the shelves of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry in anticipation of the first pet food distribution day. At last count, over 3,800 pounds of pet food and cat litter has been collected for distribution through the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry, with more donations expected before the doors open to the public. After months of planning, organizing, and soliciting donations, the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will hold its first pet food distribution day on Saturday March 6, 2010 at the Queen City Self-Storage facility, located at 4775 Red Bank Expressway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 (located behind the Red Bank Emergency Vet Clinic just off I-71 at the Red Bank exit). Distribution will take place from 10 am to 12 noon. Pantry staff and volunteers will be on hand to greet Pantry clients, register clients to learn about their pets’ needs, and provide clients with pet food. The Pantry will also be accepting food and financial donations from the public during the 10 am to 12 noon timeframe on March 6th. Pets are welcome to come but must stay in their Guardian’s vehicle at all times.
There is no income limit for Pet Guardians seeking pet food assistance from the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry. The Pantry will provide temporary food assistance to all Pet Guardians who come to the Pantry and state in writing that they are currently unable to afford food for their pet(s) and that they need assistance from the Pantry in order to keep their pet(s). In addition, Pet Guardians requesting pet food assistance from the Pantry must: Recycled Doggies is sending information about the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry’s temporary pet food assistance program to local social service agencies, animal shelters, and other organizations serving Greater Cincinnati area pet owners who may struggle to feed their pets in order to reach out to Pet Guardians in need and share information about the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry and how to seek assistance from the Pantry. Pet Guardians interested in obtaining an application and a copy of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry eligibility guidelines can contact the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry at cincinnatipetfoodpantry@gmail.com or by calling 513-275-5842. In addition, the eligibility guidelines are available on the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry’s website, www.cincinnatipetfoodpantry.org. Applications will be available at the Pantry on distribution days as well.
Because the need is so great, the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry expects that the current stockpile of pet food and cat litter will go quickly. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is seeking individuals and businesses to donate pet food and/or money each month to ensure the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry can continue to fill the need of Pet Guardians who need assistance beyond this initial distribution date. One bag to hundreds of pounds are each appreciated and needed. Each bag MAKES A DIFFERENCE to someone who is struggling to keep their pets. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is also asking local businesses to consider placing a donation bin in their place of business to collect donated food for the Pantry. The next distribution date has not yet been announced, as it will depend on how much pet food is distributed on March 6th as well as the amount of pet food donations received by the Pantry in the coming weeks. The Pantry’s goal is to be able to provide two weeks worth of pet food to Pet Guardians during each distribution event.
Individuals interested in volunteering at the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry on distribution days should email cincinnatipetfoodpantry@gmail.com. In addition, Recycled Doggies is participating in the Hands on Network Disney “Give a Day, Get a Day” volunteer program. For more information, go to www.DisneyParks.com and click on the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" graphic. Recycled Doggies will be posting the need for volunteers for the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry (search zip code 45212) as each distribution date is announced. ## ____________________________________________________________ BAG OF PET FOOD HELPS 3 LIVES Pet Food and Financial Donations are the Focus in February for CINCINNATI PET FOOD PANTRY
MAY 2010 - WE HAVE A NEW LOCATION - IN BLUE ASH!!
HUGE THANKS TO CIRCLE DEVELOPMENT & CIRCLE STORAGE (PARENT COMPANY OF RED DOG PET RESORT & SPA) FOR PROVIDING THE CINCINNATI PET FOOD PANTRY WITH A NEW LOCATION!
11367 Deerfield Rd in Blue Ash
For Immediate Release
1. Be 18 years of age and older.
2. Present a valid picture ID.
3. List the names of all household members 18 years and older.
4. Explain the hardship that has resulted in their being unable to afford to purchase food for their pets.
5. Understand that the food provided is donated and that it may not be their current brand, therefore their pet(s) could get an upsetstomach due to the introduction of a new food to their diet.
6. Agree to release the Pantry, its staff, volunteers, donors, and Queen City Self Storage from all legal actions and claims related to the Pantry’s activities.
7. Agree not to breed any of their pets or animals for profit or sport.
8. Understand that the Pantry has the right to deny any application.
9. Agree, by receiving food from the Pantry, to give a food or monetary donation back to the Pantry at distribution or when they are able to do so.
10. Agree that if their pet(s) is/are not already spayed/neutered, that they will work with the Pantry and its partner, the Pet Alliance, to get their pet(s) spayed/neutered. Patrons of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will receive access to low-cost spay/neuter services through the Pet Alliance program Spay Ohio and affordable microchipping to return lost pets to their owners from MicroChip USA.
CINCINNATI PET FOOD PANTRY ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING!
For Immediate Release
1. Be 18 years of age and older.
2. Present a valid picture ID.
3. List the names of all household members 18 years and older.
4. Agree to fill out a new application if the number of pets changes or the Pet Guardian moves.
5. Understand that the food provided is donated and that it may not be their current brand, therefore their pet(s) could get an upset stomach due to the introduction of a new food to their diet.
6. Agree to release the Pantry, its staff, and volunteers from all legal actions and claims related to the Pantry’s activities.
7. Agree not to breed any of their pets or animals for profit or sport.
8. Understand that the Pantry has the right to deny any application.
9. Agree, by receiving food from the Pantry, to give a food or monetary donation back to the Pantry at distribution or when they are able to do so.
10. Agree that if their pet(s) is/are not already spayed/neutered, that they will work with the Pantry and its partner, the Pet Alliance, to get their pet(s) spayed/neutered. Patrons of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will receive access to low-cost spay/neuter services through the Pet Alliance program Spay Ohio and affordable microchipping to return lost pets to their owners from MicroChip USA.
For Immediate Release
3,897 Pounds of Love
Family Stories of Generosity
Cincinnati, Ohio, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 – Seventeen (17) Cincinnati area families are sleeping well at night knowing they’ll help dozens of local residents feed their furry family members in time of need. Three generations of the Yarmark family (parents, children and grandchildren) currently hold the record for most donations - 963 pounds of dog and cat food to support the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry. Lisa Hicks discovered the volunteer opportunity with the local animal advocate organization, Pet Alliance, through the Disney “Give a Day Get a Disney Day” promotion and rallied her parents and children’s help.
Ms. Hicks was grateful for the opportunity to serve others and feels the experience strengthened their family. She states: “I must tell you that this was a GREAT experience for our whole family! It was a great way to get connected as a whole family, help other families and work as a team for a common goal. I know my son was not eligible (minimum age requirement for Disney volunteer program), but he also got the concept of how good it feels to "give" and help out. I hope that the families can benefit from our work, which was very rewarding!!!!"
During this difficult economic time, some families are facing the choice between feeding themselves or a loved one. This choice is made by parents in low-income families every day and many times involves the family pet? Feed the family or feed the family pet? Visit the doctor or provide food to the loved pet? Local shelters and rescues are experiencing an increase in owner relinquishments of family pets due to the family’s inability to afford pet food and pet care for their beloved 4 legged family members.
Fortunately, many families will no longer be required to make the choice to feed themselves or their pets. Due to the volunteer efforts of the Yarmark family and many other families throughout Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is stocking its shelves for a March 6, 2010 grand opening (hours: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm).
Ms. Yarmark could see her grandchildren grow through the experience of assisting others in need. She states: "I was talking to my grandson to try to explain more about what we were doing so he understood. Their beloved family dog is a wonderful boxer mix named Riley. She means the world to them. I said "If you didn't have any food or money and could not buy food for Riley and she was very hungry - if someone gave you food for her, wouldn't that be nice?" His eyes (and his sister Dani's) got as big as saucers and they were both very thoughtful and then they both chimed in "YES!" with big smiles on their faces. I then said, "Well, that is what you are helping to do for someone who will need food for their pet." It was amazing how important this was to those two precious children and how easily they understood kindness. Thanks for this opportunity."
The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is a joint effort of two local non-profit organizations: Recycled Doggies and Pet Alliance. The Founder and a Director of Recycled Doggies, Shannon DeBra, comments “We believe that no one should be forced to choose whether to pay the rent or mortgage or buy food for the family pet.” Anita Barron, Director of Pet Alliance comments “Rescues and Shelters are overwhelmed with wonderful cats and dogs in need of homes. For every family pet that can remain in their loving home because they have a temporary Pet Food Resource, we have helped 3 lives: the family pet, the pet’s Guardian AND a truly homeless animal who can then be saved by our community Animal Rescue system.” The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will provide temporary food assistance to Pet Guardians who are currently unable to afford food for their pets and may be forced to give up their pets without food assistance.
Although The Yarmark family and many other wonderful families have collected over 3,800 pounds of pet food for distribution beginning in March, there is a vast need in the Greater Cincinnati area from pet owners struggling to keep their beloved pets. The current stockpile of pet food will go quickly, so the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is seeking individuals and businesses to donate pet food and/or money each month to ensure the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry can continue to fill the need of pet Guardians who need assistance. One bag to hundreds of pounds are each appreciated and needed, each bag MAKES A DIFFERENCE to someone who is struggling to keep their pets.
Ms. Barron states, “Pet Alliance’s goal is to support the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry by rallying the Greater Cincinnati area families and businesses to provide the ongoing Pet Food Donation support that will enable the Pantry to help owned animals remain in their homes. We have already been approached from the Wesley Community Services which serves the Greater Cincinnati “Meals on Wheels” program asking for assistance for their clients, who many times choose to feed their pets instead of themselves in order to keep their cherished companion. Our mission is to create a community wide effort to support the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry’s ability to serve the general public and the seniors in our community who many times spend more time with their pets than other humans. A Pet’s companionship and unconditional love has been proven to extend and enrich the lives of their owners, especially senior citizens.”
_________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Opening March 2010
FEBRUARY 2, 2010 During these difficult economic times, some families are facing the choice between feeding themselves or a loved one. This choice is made by parents in low-income families every day and many times involves the family pet. Feed the family or feed the family pet? Visit the doctor or provide food to the loved pet? Local shelters and rescues are experiencing an increase in owner relinquishments of family pets due to the family’s inability to afford pet food and pet care for their beloved 4 legged family members.
Giving up a family pet to make sure it is has food and is healthy is a very traumatic experience for both the humans AND the animal. Fortunately, many families will no longer be required to make the choice to feed themselves or their pets. Upon learning of similar efforts to create a Pet Food Pantry in the Cincinnati area, two local non-profit organizations are combining their efforts to support the Cincinnati community with the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry program.
Recycled Doggies, a 501(c)(3) non-profit Cincinnati Dog Rescue, experienced first-hand, families that were struggling due to the economy and their reaching out to find a Rescue or Shelter where their beloved pets would have a chance to find another loving family. The Founder and a Director of Recycled Doggies, Shannon DeBra, comments “We believe that no one should be forced to choose whether to pay the rent or mortgage or buy food for the family pet.”
On similar timing, Pet Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal organization, also saw the same unmet need in the Cincinnati area. The Founder and a Director of Pet Alliance, Anita Barron, states “Rescues and Shelters are overwhelmed with wonderful cats and dogs in need of homes. For every family pet that can remain in their loving home because they have a temporary Pet Food Resource, we have helped 3 lives: the family pet, the pet’s Guardian AND a truly homeless animal who can then be saved by our community Animal Rescue system.”
The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will provide temporary food assistance to Pet Guardians who are currently unable to afford food for their pets and may be forced to give up their pets without food assistance. Dog and cat food as well as a limited supply of cat litter will be available. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will be managed by Recycled Doggies and supported with volunteers from both Recycled Doggies and Pet Alliance. The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will distribute food at Queen City Self-Storage, 4775 Red Bank Expressway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 (located behind the Red Bank Emergency Vet Clinic just off I-71 at the Red Bank exit) on distribution days as announced to the public, depending on availability of donations.
Patrons of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry will receive access to low-cost spay/neuter services through the Pet Alliance program Spay Ohio and affordable microchipping to return lost pets to their owners from MicroChip USA.
During the month of February 2010 ONLY, Pet Alliance may have limited grant monies to assist with the funding of the spay/neuter of pets of the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry patrons. Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry patrons interested in applying for low (or no cost) spay/neuter services for their pets should contact the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry email listed above for the general public.
With a projected opening in March 2010, the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is asking individuals and businesses in the Cincinnati area community to donate pet food and/or money to ensure the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is prepared to fill the need of pet Guardians who need assistance.
During February, Community Volunteers will be collecting unopened and unexpired cat and dog food through Pet Food Drives. Ms. Barron states, “We have found many of our volunteers participating in our Community Pet Food Drive during the month of February through the Hands on Network Disney “Give a Day, Get a Day” volunteer program. Every day we are blessed with more volunteers who are excited about contributing to help other families keep their family pets.”
The first 4 specific dates to donate food community-wide are:
· Saturday, February 6th (drop off 4-6 PM at Queen City Self-Storage)
· Saturday, February 13th (drop off 4-6 PM at Queen City Self-Storage)
· Sunday, February 21st (drop off 4-6 PM at Queen City Self-Storage)
· Saturday, February 27th (drop off 4-6 PM at Queen City Self-Storage)
Ms. DeBra states, “The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry needs financial donations as well. Pet food donations from the community and businesses are always welcomed, yet the donated pet food can be unpredictable so there will be times that pet food will need to be purchased to assist Pet Guardians in need. Currently we have received generous support from the Jean Siemer No-Kill Animal Shelter Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, the Kroger Company and the Petco Foundation.”
About Recycled Doggies
The Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry is a program operated by Recycled Doggies, www.recycleddoggies.org. Recycled Doggies focuses on saving dogs from death row at local animal shelters and finding them new homes. However, in addition to saving the dogs already in shelters, Recycled Doggies wants to be part of the solution by preventing family pets from being given up to shelters in the first place. Recycled Doggies hopes to bring awareness to the effect that the economy is having on pet owners in our area by offering pet food assistance. Recycled Doggies is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Donations to Recycled Doggies for the Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Mailing Address for Financial Donations:
Cincinnati Pet Food Pantry
2319 Madison Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45212
CONTACT: Shannon DeBra, President and Founder
Tel. 513-275-5842
Email: recycleddoggies@gmail.com