On a cold day last February, I rented a car and make the trek to Fairfield, Maine, to do a story on their local Pet Food Pantry for Downeast Dog News. While there, I was alternately amused, impressed, and charmed by the interaction between the dozen or so volunteers who keep this little pantry going in an area that has been particularly hard-hit by the struggling Maine economy. Now, nine months later, I'm happy to say that I've been able to stay in touch with a couple of the volunteers at the Pantry, and was thrilled to hear that they were interested in being spotlighted for Rescue ME.
The Pet Food Pantry of Maine currently serves close to a hundred families, and that number is growing. They are responsible for feeding around 220 cats and 210 dogs, as well as smaller animals like rabbits, ferrets, parrakeets, and guinea pigs, every month. The Pantry also does what it can to educate families about the importance of spaying and neutering, good nutrition, and health care, and provides literature on low-cost spay/neuter programs offered around the state. As a result of their efforts working in conjunction with the Vet Tech Program at the University College of Bangor, sixteen dogs were spayed and neutered in September. There's no question that these hard-working volunteers go the extra mile everyday to accomplish their goals. In order to continue doing their good work, the Pantry was granted 501(c)3, federal non-profit status last spring, and they hold regular fundraising breakfasts, dinners, and dances. Through their efforts, individuals who might have had to surrender their pets as a result of financial hardship are now able to stay together through these tough times.
To read more about this great organization, check out my feature article in Downeast Dog News last winter.
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