By Susan Spisak
The holidays have us scurrying to find perfect gifts for family, friends, and pets. Let’s add a focus on those in need in our community by including December 3rd’s Giving Tuesday and December 11th’s Holiday Food Drive for the Needy Animals Day. Both are easy to participate in.
GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a day that encourages people to do good. Since then, this global movement encourages people to give back. Money is a great salve for nonprofits, and do so if you can, but not everyone is in a position to….so if the theme of the day is to do good for others, give of your time on that day and beyond.
Volunteer at a shelter or with a rescue, serve meals to homeless at a church, or donate to a pet and human food pantry. Consider becoming a foster for a rescue group or check in on an elderly neighbor. Simply join the movement and pay it forward.
On December 11th, the Holiday Food Drive for the Needy Animals Day is celebrated. It's a day to donate pet food, treats, and other supplies to help animals in shelters, rescues, and those living on the streets. Many nonprofits cannot operate without support, so please consider donating to them.
Don Hanson, co-owner with wife Paula Hanson of the Green Acres Kennel Shop in Bangor, supports The Furry Friends Food Bank (FFFB), a program of the Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA). Through the program, it helps seniors and adults with disabilities care for their pets by providing them with monthly, pre-packaged bags of pet food and litter.
It’s one of the Green Acres Kennel Shop’s favorite charities, so from November 18th through December 31st, they're running their 18th fundraising drive with partner Force Free Pets for FFFB and the EAAA. Funds raised are used to purchase pet food and supplies at wholesale prices. Once the community has raised $2500, Green Acres will donate $500, with an additional $500 after the community raises $5000. Don said this was a way for them to not only keep pets out of shelters but also keep them with their people. “In many cases, these pets can be a person's only contact with another living person on a regular basis. They have a strong bond, and we want to do our part to keep them together.”
Christopher Hill, Communication and Development Director for EAAA said, “We are profoundly grateful for partners like Don Hanson and Green Acres Kennel Shop, as their support is vital to our work at EAAA. Currently, our program distributes an average of 12,000 pounds of pet food each month, serving over 390 individuals, all without any state or federal funding.” He added by alleviating some financial burden of pet ownership, they can keep their pet and have a daily companion, which plays a critical role in enhancing their mental well-being. To participate in the Green Acres Kennel Shops important mission, eaaa.org/GreenAcresChallenge/.
Nadine Malloy, owner of No Bowl Empty 2 Pet Food Pantry, says her efforts to serve Cumberland and York Counties consumes all of her time. She’s been at this almost ten years now, and she helps 2,284 clients and their pets a month. “We’re talking thousands of pounds of food a month,” said Nadine. She also relies on and hopes for more annual sponsorships. “I’m really good at begging,” she laughed. Items appreciated include canned dog and cat food, litter, and dry cat food. To donate through Venmo: @nbe_nadine. For pantry info and tangible donation drop offs, facebook.com/NBE2PFP.
Downeast Dog News is happy to announce that the randomly drawn winner of their Annual Holiday Donation is the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society Shelter’s (GAHS) Fetchin’ Food Pet Pantry, 55 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston. Katie Lisnik, their Executive Director, said the assistance they provide can keep pets with their families, rather than them being relinquished to shelters.
Founded in 1882, GAHS is thriving thanks to the community, and they assist over 3,500 animals annually. During their FY year 2023, they provided thirty-five tons of food to families and their pets. The amount they’ve provided includes routine donations of pet food to area human food pantries, such as St. Mary’s, so people can make one stop.
Katie said they appreciate cat food and supplies, dog treats, chew toys, and canned dog food. “Gift cards are amazing,” she said, citing Walmart, Hannaford’s, and Shaw’s. “Winning and getting that recognition is absolutely amazing,” said Katie. She added they’re not providing this for the accolades, there’s a real need. For donation info, gahumane.org/give/.
The Pittie Posse Rescue works with the community to address social and economic hardships that result in dog surrenders. “To that effort, we rescue and adopt dogs out, provide training assistance, and even work via our free pet food pantry to distribute free pet food monthly in three different locations around the state of Maine,” said co-founder, Britt Bolnick.
“At this point, we distribute free food every month in Steep Falls, Lewiston/Auburn area, and the Biddeford area to an average of 150 to 200 a month. We are always in need, especially of cat food, both dry and wet, as well as dog chew toys and treats for tough chewers.” said Britt. They appreciate cash donations for their adoptable dogs’ vetting, as well as other supplies for distribution. To donate, pittieposserescue.com/. Tangibles can be dropped at The Bark Yard, 2112 Broadway, South Portland.
Pope Memorial Humane Society, 25 Buttermilk Lane in Thomaston, serves over twenty towns. Wish List items include food, pet treats, and gift cards. They’ll accept open bags of food—if it’s not in original packaging, please label it. See all needed items, Wish List, and volunteering info at popehumane.org/.
PAWS Animal Adoption Center and PAWS Cares Clinic, serving communities for 50 years, is at 123 John Street in Camden. They can always use kitten food, paper towels, trash bags, and small fleece blankets. For volunteer opportunities, Amazon Wish List link, and pet pantry info, pawscares.org/.
The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland (ARLGP) 2023 FY stats indicated they provided clinical care, pet food, and unification services to 954 pets. To sponsor the pantry financially, contact them at 207-517-3932. Matt Blanchard, their Marketing & Communications Coordinator, said for Wish Lists, arlgp.org/make-a-gift/pets-have-wishes-too. If you require assistance, fill out a registration form on their site—be sure to call or complete a pickup form each time you utilize them.
Bangor Humane Society’s Kathryn Ravenscraft, Director of Development & Communication, indicated if you have leftover, opened food, they’ll accept it. “We’re giving it out hand over fist here and we are grateful for any and all donations to support it.” They’re at 693 Mt. Hope Avenue, Bangor. Check bangorhumane.org/ for hours, pantry info, donation link, and volunteer offerings.
Mariah Donovan, Development Coordinator for SPCA of Hancock County, said wet cat food and litter are their highest priority. Additionally, they can utilize items from their Amazon and Chewy Wish Lists. Items can be shipped to them at 141 Bar Harbor Road in Trenton or leave donations by the front door, 9 am to 4. For Wish Lists, donation info, pantry info and application, spcahancockcounty.org/.
Midcoast Humane operates animal sheltering in Brunswick and Edgecomb. They provide care for nearly 3,500 animals annually and assist hundreds more through programming. They provide about 40,000 lbs. of free food and items to those with needs, keeping animals fed and in their homes. Kate Griffith, their Marketing and Communications Manager, says that number includes their food donations to Dogwill.
She added that their Pet Food Pantry is operated out of the Brunswick and Edgecomb Campuses. “In Brunswick, people can come any time we are open (11am – 3pm every day but Wednesday). In Edgecomb, we ask people to come between 9am and 3pm, and they can come once every two weeks.” Their biggest need is wet/canned cat and dog food. For all needs, Wish List, and donation drop off info, midcoasthumane.org/donate/donate-supplies/.
The Houlton Humane Society welcomes volunteers and fosters. For their Amazon Wish List, houltonhumanesociety.us/donate-index-impact. They do offer a pantry that consists of food donated and purchased through a grant to them that exceeds their needs. For the online application, houltonhumanesociety.us/food-pantry?rq=pantry.
For a detailed list of pantries, see p. 14: issuu.com/rfbadvertising/docs/downeastdog_november_2024. Check with them directly for donation needs. For animal rescues, Google: Maine Pet Rescues, navigate to a favorite for donation and volunteer info.
