St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Johnstown is looking for donations for its pet food pantry as the holiday season approaches and supplies become scarce.
After its last pet pantry event, the church’s supplies were depleted. The next distribution event is the week before Christmas, when the church typically feeds pets of nearly 200 families, according to pantry coordinator Cynthia Greig.
The church’s animal welfare ministry was started about five years ago and supplies always run low around the holidays, Greig said. During the last two months of the year, Greig said animals usually get forgotten, with families using funds for gifts and other expenses instead of pet supplies.
“We know many folks will have extra expenses this time of year and we will have extra families coming to us for help,” Greig said.
Since its inception, Greig said, the pantry has helped to feed cats, dogs, guinea pigs, ferrets, rabbits and other pets in Cambria and Somerset counties. From January to September of this year, the pantry supplied more than 8,000 pounds of dry dog food and more than 6,400 pounds of dry cat food.
Aside from monetary donations, dry and canned dog and cat food are needed most, Greig said.
Monetary donations designated for the animal welfare ministry can be dropped off at St. Mark’s or mailed to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 335 Locust St., Johnstown, PA 15901. Food donations also are accepted at the church office.
For more information, call Greig at 814-255-2504 or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 814-535-6797.
