Pet Food Pantry
Emergency Pet Food Pantry
Pet Friends outreach to family pets
An innovative program to provide free pet food to deserving furry, four-legged Duplin family members is being eagerly implemented by well-known humane organization, Pet Friends of Duplin County (PFDC).
Kebby Schweinsberg, president of Pet Friends, shaking her head back and forth, remarked that the rising cost of all goods and services has sky-rocketed, “especially food,” she lamented., “There is no end in sight to these rising costs for essential food items. We frequently hear that families with pets suffer even more. When our pets go without, we suffer as well,” she went on to sadly say.
Joe Newburn, Duplin County Animal Services department head, noted that many people are forced into having to surrender their beloved animals “because they just can’t afford to feed them.” “Senior citizens on fixed budgets really feel the pinch,” he stated. Also, pet owners do come to the shelter looking for donated food to get them through a tight spot.
An uptick in animal surrender and abandonment means the demand for shelter kennel space is overwhelming, forcing difficult decisions. “The shelter works closely with Pet Friends. I wholeheartedly applaud this effort,” he said.
Veterinarian Margie Hunter of Warsaw Animal Hospital also supports the program. “Let’s face it, the economy is making pet ownership a struggle for many, including my patients. This is an excellent endeavor.”
Pet Friends of Duplin County is working with Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries and the Duplin County Animal Services. The first site will be Helping Hands Food Pantry at the Wallace Presbyterian Church. The Helping Hands Food Pantry distributes food on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9-12. Starting in May, when citizens in need go to the DCOM office to obtain a voucher for the food pantry, they will be asked if they have pets in their family. When they get their food, they will also receive pet food as available.
The second site will be the Duplin County Animal Shelter. Citizens who are at risk of surrendering their pets for financial reasons, can ask for pet food help.
Pet Friends is now in the process of stocking food at these sites and need donations.
Food donation boxes will be set up at the following Wallace stores - Tractor Supply, Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion, and Walmart, as well as the Rose Hill Godwin IGA, in April. Dry and wet dog, cat, puppy and kitten food are welcome.
For those who like to order online (Chewy, Amazon, Walmart, Tractor Supply, etc.), food donations can be delivered to Pet Friends of Duplin County, c/o Kebby Schweinsberg, 111 Silver Magnolia Ct, Wallace, NC 28466
Our Walmart registry is
https://www.walmart.com/registry/RR/5d96bc41-cdeb-4faf-b82b-ac6f47996479
Our Amazon registry is:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AFMDVE32QYD9?ref_=wl_share
Or residents can contact Pet Friends at pfdcmail@gmail.com to arrange drop-off.
Because this program is new, Pet Friends is starting small. Community feedback is essential. If successful, the program could be expanded to all the seven food pantry sites in Duplin County. All inquiries can be directed to pfdcmail@mail.com.
EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY FOR PETS
Pet Friends of Duplin County
Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries
Duplin County Animal Services
SITE 1 - Helping Hands Food Pantry
Clients will apply for a voucher at DCOM, 514 s. Norwood St, Wallace, Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9-11:30 .
Food is distributed Tuesdays and Thursday 9-12 as available at Wallace Presbyterian Church 205 Main Street, Wallace, NC 28466,
Clients with pets should ask for a pet food voucher and indicate how many dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and what size dogs they have.
SITE 2 - Duplin County Animal Shelter
Folks at risk of surrendering their pets for financial reasons can ask for pet food help at the shelter.
DONATIONS NEEDED
DRY & WET FOOD & Treats for DOGS, CATS, PUPPIES & KITTENS
v No expired items
v No partially used items
v Tape bag if torn
FOOD DONATION BOXES
Wallace - Tractor Supply, Piggly Wiggly, Food Lion, Tabby and Barkers
Kenansville – Food Lion, Duplin County Animal Shelter
ORDER ONLINE (Chewy, Amazon, Walmart, Tractor Supply…)
Deliver to Pet Friends of Duplin County c/o Kebby Schweinsberg 111 Silver Magnolia Ct Wallace, NC 28466
ARRANGE DROP-OFF
Email pfdcmail@gmail.com