July 2015 - Colorado Pet Pantry

Gabriel’s Story

By Nathaniel

A lot has changed since Gabriel came into my life. “Gabe” was born April 8, 2008 at 4 lbs., and I was 500 lbs+. I was working in sales for a tech start up and in social work as a crisis counselor. We trained, hiked and went to the dog park multiple times a day. Gabe became an incredibly well-socialized 200-pound lovable giant and I lost 200 lbs.! Talk about the health benefits of owning a pet.

Recently, after caring for my dad who has now passed away, working two jobs, and undergoing surgery to truly get my weight in check, I found myself physically burned out. Drastic measures were necessary to heal. This meant leaving both social work and sales; high-stress, demanding careers I’d been in for 20 years. Although I was 40, all of the starting over had me feeling closer to 4.

Learning to live a very different life — without my dad, nearly 400 lbs. lighter, and in deep need of new career skills knocked me on my butt! Thankfully, in the past year, the Colorado Pet Pantry provided quality kibble for Gabe when my income didn’t allow me to buy it.

Gabe IS the family I have here in Colorado. He’s my bright spot. From weight loss to stress reduction, he has literally saved my life time and again. All that I’ve faced has been tough, but the Colorado Pet Pantry has eased my load as I get back on track. To think of how the Colorado Pet Pantry is assisting others through the difficult parts of their own journeys encourages me. It’s crazy how hope can be found in a bag of dog food! During this time of bright lights and offering hope, may we all receive a joy as rich as what I receive from Gabe. And, in turn, may we all have the fortune of spreading such joy.

Nathaniel

Colorado Pet Food Bank Re-Distributes Pet Food Donation Worth $130,000

20 Rescue and Pet Food Bank Organizations are Receiving Pallets of Pet Food Valued at $5,280 each

Redbarn Pet Products, a manufacturer of premium food, treats and chews for dogs and cats, has arranged for a donation of 33,792 cans of dog food and 38,808 cans of cat food to be donated to nonprofit animal organizations across Colorado. Denver/Boulder pet food bank, Colorado Pet Pantry, spearheaded the logistical coordination and outreach for the rescue groups that span from Crawford, Evergreen, Monument, Alamosa, Ft. Collins, and all over Denver/Boulder. Sharing the donation among the different rescues and pet food banks was a necessity as Colorado Pet Pantry Executive Director Eileen Lambert explained, “We simply don’t have the warehouse space for 22 pallets of pet food and this food can be put to immediate use through the many wonderful animal rescues and pet food banks located throughout the state.” The cans of food, normally retailing for over $130,000, are being delivered to the mile-high city on Friday, July 10th. The food will then be allocated to the 22 partner organizations located across the state.

According to Colorado Pet Pantry’s calculations, this food could feed 563 dogs and 826 cats twice a day for a month. Redbarn co-owner Jeff Baikie remarked, “Redbarn was founded on the principle of creating better, more nutritious food for every dog. We understand when times are tough, it can be very difficult on a family with pets and for that reason we are honored to support Colorado Pet Pantry food bank, their rescue partners and their common goal of ensuring all families in a neighborhood have the resources to consistently feed their pets, keeping them out of shelters. It’s our hope that with a donation of this size, we will enable these rescues to help save more animals.” According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.9 million dogs and 3.4 million cats enter animal shelters every year.

See photos from the donation event generously donated by DelaFoto.

About Redbarn Pet Products, LLC
In 1996, CEO’s (and lifelong friends) Jeff Baikie and Howard Bloxam recognized the need for a wholesome dog food that was developed, produced and sold with integrity, honesty and only top quality ingredients. They developed the signature Redbarn Rolled Food, an enhanced food with over 93% digestibility. Soon, they began manufacturing premium, grass-fed bully sticks and other natural chews. In 2013, responding to customer’s demands, Jeff and Howard created the grain-free Redbarn for Cats line. Redbarn strives to provide products and information to help our customers in making educated, nutritious decisions for their pets.

About Colorado Pet Pantry
The Colorado Pet Pantry pet food bank operates as a mobile pet food bank at “human” food bank partners. During 2015, the pet food bank plans to grow to six monthly pet food banks in the Denver/Boulder-metro areas. In 2014, their volunteers gave 1,100+ hours to distribute 30,553 pounds of pet food, helping 1,500 families in the Denver/Boulder-metro area to feed 3,296 pets.

Applewood Awards Giveaway to Colorado Pet Pantry

The Colorado Pet Pantry is a food bank for family pets. They temporarily feed Colorado pets, allowing families to increase their ability to care for pets with the goal of keeping them out of shelters and with their families. The organization began in 2013 with a pet food bank at one “human” food bank partner. In 2015, they have already grown to five monthly food bank partners.

“Applewood is proud to partner with this organization,” said John Ward, Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric president. “Their work is admirable and we are excited to be able to help them expand their efforts to help more pets and families in need.”

The Colorado Pet Pantry partners with and distributes directly out of “human” food banks because they have an established relationship with the neighborhoods, and they can leverage their administrative processes and their buildings. Additionally, the availability of pet food helps to ensure that the already limited “human” food is reserved for the humans and pets receive balanced meals.

“In 2014, our volunteers gave 1,100+ hours to distribute 30,553 pounds of pet food, helping 1,500 families in the Denver/Boulder-metro area to feed 3,296 pets,” said Eileen Lambert, founder of Colorado Pet Pantry.

The $1,000 will allow the organization to expand its services and will help feed 250 additional pets. “Every dollar donated to the Colorado Pet Pantry is worth $5 in pet food. Combine that with the fact that your donation helps a pet stay with its family – keeping the dog or cat out of the shelter where it would need to be housed, fed, walked, cared for, and rehomed,” said Eileen.

Over the past nine years, Applewood has given more than $95,000 in giveaways to charities and nonprofits in the Denver area.

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