Nearly 300 pounds of pet food were collected during the eExtra Cares pet food drive earlier this month.
“We are so grateful for this and we will definitely put this pet food to good use,” said Meals on Wheels Executive Director Shelly Braziel. “We have such a need for this pet food in our area and we are excited to be able to distribute it to those in need.”
The community pulled together to bring pet food to The Grove at 143 S. Main Street throughout the month of July, bringing in nearly 300 pounds of dog and cat food.
This part of Meals on Wheels started when Braziel discovered what one client was doing with her meals each day.
“Our Pet Food Program started about a year ago when Shelly was doing a well-check visit with a client,” said Cara Welch of Meals on Wheels. “She noticed that the meal we provided was on the floor and was curious as to why. The client said that she didn’t have enough money for pet food so she shares her meal with her dog each day.”
Welch added that for this particular client, her dog was the only family she had left. The staff and volunteers with Meals on Wheels were heartbroken and from this story, they were encouraged to begin the Pet Food Program.
Braziel launched the program which allows clients in Lamar County to request one bag of dog food every three months for their pets. The drivers, however, cannot deliver the pet food due to health and safety guidelines.
“This means that clients had to make arrangements to pick up the food, and in the first year we have been able to give out approximately 5,000 pounds of food,” said Welch.
Meals on Wheels is always accepting pet food donations, which can be dropped off at 1275 19th Street S.W. For more information, call 903-737-0133.
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