New York City has allocated $500,000 to provide free pet food to 22 pantries across the five boroughs, helping residents facing rising living costs care for their pets without sacrificing household necessities, according to ABC 7.
The program began Oct. 19 and includes four Brooklyn locations: Community Help in Park Slope at 200 Fourth Ave., The Campaign Against Hunger at 2004 Fulton St., St. John's Bread and Life Food Pantry at 795 Lexington Ave. and the YMCA Community Market at 2980 West 29th St.
The program addresses the financial pressures facing households, and intends to help residents obtain food for pets at the same locations where they collect groceries for their households.
“They bring their pets with them and are feeding them online because they have been without,” said Tamara Dawson of The Campaign Against Hunger.
In Brooklyn, where food pantries support residents experiencing food insecurity, access to pet food could help families keep their animals at home rather than surrender them to shelters because of financial hardship.
Dawson said that while the Campaign Against Hunger already does provide free food to clients, obtaining supplies can be challenging as it often requires donor support.
The initiative also builds on the work of community organizations that provide pet food through donations and grants. St. John's Bread and Life received a $17,000 voucher to purchase supplies, while The Campaign Against Hunger is arranging pet food purchases through the new funding program.
"If they find that they believe in what we do and have resources, then they will support our work," Dawson said.
Residents seeking assistance should contact a participating pantry to confirm current supplies, distribution hours and any requirements before visiting.
The food rollout is expected to arrive at participating pantries in about two weeks.
