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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhen families face financial hardship, the ripple effects often touch every member of the household, including their four-legged companions. Recognizing the critical role pets play as cherished family members, Humane Pennsylvania\u2019s Spike\u2019s Pet Food Pantry Program has emerged as a lifeline.<\/p>\n
Karel Minor, CEO of Humane Pennsylvania, recalled the program\u2019s early days. \u201cWe started doing our pantry work in late 2004 or early 2005. We were seeing animals coming into shelters not because their owners didn\u2019t care but because they couldn\u2019t afford to keep them,\u201d says Minor.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nBy asking a simple yet transformative question \u2014 \u201cWhat do you need to keep your pet at home?\u201d \u2014 the organization, which operates out of the Community Resource Center in Reading, quickly identified the gaps that often led to surrender. In many cases, the solution was as straightforward as providing a bag of dog food. What began as an informal effort grew into a full-fledged program by 2007, a trailblazing model in the industry at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was uncommon and even controversial,\u201d says Minor. \u201cWe heard criticism like, \u2018Why support people who can\u2019t afford pets?\u2019 But we knew the alternative of animals dying in shelters and people losing their pets was unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Today, Spike\u2019s Pet Food Pantry stands as a testament to the power of empathy and innovation. The program has distributed more than 241,979 pounds of food, equating to nearly one million meals for pets in need.<\/p>\n
\u201cPets are part of the family,\u201d Minor emphasizes. \u201cNo child or adult should have to lose their pet simply because of temporary financial difficulties. Our mission is to empower people to care for their animals, not take them away.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program\u2019s evolution includes thoughtful touches to encourage participation. Clients receive a member card, making the experience feel like shopping at a wholesale club. In addition, there are free and low-cost options so that residents can apply for membership regardless of economic status.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany of the previous programs were a little chiding. We\u2019re not engaging in that,\u201d says Minor. \u201cPeople come before animals in our\u00a0mission statement now because we recognize that animals can\u2019t feed themselves. We need to make sure that people are capable, and if they don\u2019t know how to be, we teach them. If they know but don\u2019t have access, we give them access. And if they ultimately can\u2019t keep an animal, then we\u2019re here for that animal. But we don\u2019t start the conversation with, \u2018When would you like to bring it to our shelter?\u2019 We start conversations with, \u2018What do you need to keep it from coming to our shelter?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Minor envisions even greater milestones, including expanding the pantry\u2019s reach and potentially tackling the ambitious goal of distributing over one million pounds of pet food annually. \u201cIt sounds daunting, but it\u2019s achievable,\u201d he says. \u201cAs more people understand the importance of these services, the support grows.\u201d<\/p>\n
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While the one-million-pound goal was reached this past year, Humane Pennsylvania is also tackling systemic challenges beyond food with initiatives like low-cost veterinary services and community education.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we started, Berks and Lancaster counties were taking in nearly 30,000 animals a year. Now that number is under 3,000,\u201d says Minor.<\/p>\n
This remarkable reduction is attributed to proactive programs that address the root causes of surrender, from spay\/neuter services to access to affordable care. The organization also encourages community involvement through volunteering, donations and initiatives like the soon-to-be launched Thrifty Kitty thrift boutique in Lancaster.<\/p>\n
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Fun Facts<\/h3>\n
The Impact.<\/strong>\u00a0Spike\u2019s Food Pantry has approximately 100 pet food clients any given month. Learn more about membership details and see the pantry schedule at\u00a0humanepa.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Help People and Pets Stay Together.<\/strong>\u00a0Whether it\u2019s time, money or donated items, there are many ways you can show your support for Humane Pennsylvania\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Spike Pet Food Pantry serves more than just animals in need. Written by Sarah Matarella, Courtesy of Berks County Living When families face financial hardship, the ripple effects often touch every member of the household, including their four-legged companions. Recognizing the critical role pets play as cherished family members, Humane Pennsylvania\u2019s Spike\u2019s Pet Food Pantry …
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