Thank you to all who responded to our need for Adult Dog Food. We truly appreciate the donations you have sent. We go through thousands of pounds of kibble each month at our pet food banks. Our need is on-going and great. If you have the means to donate pet food – an extra bag in your pantry, or anything from our wishlist, we would be very grateful! There are several different ways to donate.
“Sometimes the most overlooked family members during any divorce can be people’s pets.”
In April 2022, Dawn and her family had 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 goats and 28 chickens. Due to financial stress from a divorce, Dawn could no longer afford to care for all of her animals. She had to make the heartbreaking decision to re-home her goats, chickens and one of her house cats. Dawn learned about Colorado Pet Pantry’s SECOR pet food bank in Parker, Colorado, in August of 2022. With the help of our pet food assistance program, Dawn and her son, Levi, have been able to keep and care for their cat, Brave, and their retired livestock guardian dogs, Zeke and Kalos.
“My son and I are both thrilled that we have been able to continue to love and enjoy our remaining animals. They are thriving on the generous donations from Colorado Pet Pantry. I’m so grateful for every bag and can of food that the Pet Pantry has provided. Though we are uncertain of the future, we are grateful to be able to do life with our furry family members. Kalos alerts me when my blood sugar is low, and, Zeke and Brave can tell when we need a bit of comfort. I’m grateful that with the help of Colorado Pet Pantry, I’ve been able to keep my dogs and my sweet cat Brave, after losing my goats.”
Pets need every chance possible to stay in their forever homes with the humans who love them. Our goal at Colorado Pet Pantry, is to keep pets with their families. With the help of our supporters, we provide supplemental pet food assistance to cover the gap when housing costs, inflation, medical expenses, vet care, job loss, underemployment, or divorce, chip away at the resources people need to feed their pets.
When times are hard for humans, they’re inevitably hard for pets. Right now is one of those times. With inflation soaring and bonus SNAP benefits having ended in February, food banks across the country are seeing a huge uptick in need. At our pet food banks, we have seen at least a 15% increase in new clients across the state, and even more than that in some locations.
With pet food being so expensive, local shelters and rescues are seeing more relinquished pets than ever. This caught the eye and ear of local celebrity news anchor and recent adoptive pet parent, Kyle Clark. Kyle featured Colorado Pet Pantry as his Word of Thanks charity this week, May 10-16th, 2023.
By featuring Colorado Pet Pantry, Kyle was able to show many pet owners that there are resources available to those who have fallen on hard times, but do not want to lose their pets.
This is why we are here. With 28 open-to-the-public pet food banks across the state, we are able to take a $5 donation and turn it into a 30-day supply of pet food for a dog or cat.
So far, thanks to the Word of Thanks micro-giving campaign, we have received over $68,000 toward our $75,000 goal. If we reach $75,000, it will enable us to feed 15,000 dogs and cats across Colorado, and allow us to meet the rising need we are seeing at a time when it is so important to do so.We hope you will consider donating to this campaign to help us reach this goal.
Thank you Kyle Clark for featuring us as your Word of Thanks recipient for May 10th, 2023. Here is the original article that can be found on 9news.com:
Colorado Pet Pantry is a statewide resource that was founded in 2013 to help pets and their people.
Food banks love to add pet food from Colorado Pet Pantry because it’s one-stop shopping for families. All the pet food is donated. Then, the non-profit’s hundreds of volunteers and a few staff make sure it gets distributed across the state.
The pantry says it donated close to 7 million meals last year, which fed 115,000 dogs and cats. The demand has gone up every year since the non-profit got its start.
They’re noticing increased need lately because of inflation, and with food stamp benefits being cut in February.
That’s why our micro-giving campaign, Word of Thanks, is supporting Colorado Pet Pantry this week.
Their largest pet food banks are in rural Colorado, where shelters are full and the need is great. It’s more expensive to transport the food there, but Colorado Pet Pantry is determined to reach every corner of the state.
With our help, they can do that. Like every week since Kyle started Word of Thanks, we’re asking you to consider a $5 donation. He’ll match the first fifty of those, and Colorado Pet Pantry says they can feed a dog or a cat for a month on five bucks.
That $5 could be the difference between a family being able to keep a pet at home or having to give them up.
Word of Thanks began in 2020, and this Next community has donated $10.7 million to non-profits across the state doing great work.
As always, thank you!
If you’re interested in giving, you can donate here.
The best thing I love about Spring is that it’s almost green everywhere. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Manny Arizala with the Colorado Pet Pantry. As the pandemic wreaked havoc across our nation and here in the Colorado Springs / Fountain area, many of you stepped up to feed and give a voice to the voiceless, our pets.
I am writing you today to ask you to join us in our efforts. I am not asking for money, I am simply asking you to join us once a year, once a quarter, every other month or as often as you are able to in distributing pet food and at times, supplies to our community. With food insecurity on the rise, many of our community members rely on the generosity of food pantries and their volunteers, ultimately that also means food insecurity is on the rise for our four-legged pets.
I joined the Colorado Pet Pantry this past Fall simply because of our mission: “The Colorado Pet Pantry will 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.” Your generosity of time will allow us to be true to our mission and will additionally have a direct positive impact on the members of our community.
Growing up, I couldn’t tell you how many times a pet made the difference between a good day or a bad day, no matter the circumstances. Pets bring love, joy, and most of all companionship. Will you join me and volunteer some of your time at one of our pet pantries in either Colorado Springs, Fountain or both? I hope you decide to join me in saying yes, I will volunteer. Bring a friend with you to volunteer or make a date with your loved one to volunteer together by simply signing up at the link below.
Thank You, and I look forward to seeing you at one of our pantries very soon. If you have any questions or comments feel free to contact me directly or text me at the number listed below.
Starting March 1st, 2023, Coloradans, and people throughout the nation, participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) saw their monthly amounts drop drastically as the Emergency Allotments for the SNAP program (Food Stamps) that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic came to an end February 28, 2023. On an individual basis, the end of emergency allotments will mean an average loss of $82 in food stamps per person every month, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates.
The Emergency Allotments began in March 2020 to help people who lost their jobs, were underemployed, were financially strained due to medical costs, etc. due to COVID-19. After three years, the decision was made to end the Emergency Allotments. Additionally, this is happening at a time when grocery prices are already much higher than normal. This change will affect the human food that is accessible to people, leaving even less money for pet food and pet costs.
That’s where we come in.
How will this affect Colorado Pet Pantry?
Colorado Pet Pantry saw a drastic increase in the amount of people needing pet food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three years later the need has only continued to increase, while donations have recently begun to decrease due to our donors’ economic concerns. We’re already seeing even more people needing help with pet food because more of their sparse funds are needed to feed the human family members.
Colorado Pet Pantry works side by side with human food banks to help make sure the human food goes to the humans and the pet food goes to the pets. “I will feed my pets before I eat…” is a common phrase heard at our organization when those who need pet food reach out.
The human food banks that we partner with have already reported that their human food distributions increased by 30 to 50% in February 2023 alone. And our pet food banks in the past two months have greatly increased in the number of people seeking help. This began the month BEFORE the food stamps decreased. The concern is that this number will dramatically increase in months to come as people and families realize the full affect of the decreased food stamp allotment.
While food stamps cannot be used for pet food, this decrease in food stamps will affect a person’s or family’s overall ability to feed all the members of the family, including ones with paws. Colorado Pet Pantry anticipates that need will greatly increase, beginning NOW.
As pets make their way into our hearts and our homes, they become part of the family. Most of the clients we assist have had their pets for many years, then financial struggles took hold. Pet owners should not have to choose between keeping their pet or feeding their pet.
How can you help?
Monetary donations go a long way. Thanks to our pet food partnerships, we can take just $5 and give a pet a 30-day supply of pet food.
Volunteering is the backbone of our organization. If we do not have volunteers to run our pet food banks, pick up donations, or help in our warehouse, we do not exist. If you are able to volunteer, we would love to have you!
Sharing about us online helps spread the word about what we are doing and grows our organization. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up to date with what is happening at Colorado Pet Pantry.
Did you know you can support Colorado Pet Pantry just by doing your regular shopping at King Soopers or City Market? When you add us as your charity of choice, King Soopers/City Market will donate a portion of what you spend directly to us. In the fourth quarter of 2022, 601 enrolled householdshelped usraise $5,312 in donations! Visit the King Soopers/City Market page, create your account and sign up today.
Start a Facebook Fundraiser
Creating a Fundraiser on Facebook is very easy. This is a great way to not only raise funds for your favorite nonprofit, but to show your friends what causes matter to you. Facebook generously covers transaction fees for nonprofits in their online fundraiser. Visit Facebook’s Fundraiser Instructions today and learn how to set up your fundraisers.
Donate Your Colorado State Tax Refund
If you’re expecting a Colorado state income tax refund this year, we hope you’ll consider donating some or all of it to Colorado Pet Pantry. Colorado makes it easy to donate your refund to the charity of your choice. When you file your taxes this year, add our registration number, 20123031891, on the Voluntary Contributions Schedule (DR 0104CH) of your Colorado Individual Income Tax Return. Learn more about this easy to use and much appreciated program.
Share us on Social Media
Social media is a fast and cost-effective way for us reach a larger audience. When you follow (or “like”) us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and share our content, it allows us to reach and engage with an even larger audience. The more people we reach, the more people and pets we are able to help! It’s an easy and free way to help us share information and gain followers and supporters. Please help us by following us and sharing our posts! Learn more here.
In October 2021, Christa acquired her special friend and companion, Bentley. She refers to him as a cuddle bug but he is so much more than that, because Christa also has Diabetes. “I wouldn’t trade him for the world,” Christa shares, “He lets me know when my blood sugar is out of control, wakes me up when my breathing stops, and even acted strangely before I had a tachycardia episode. He can make me smile on days when depression is bad. He brightens every day.”
As a medical assistance dog, Bentley is the BEST. Christa literally cannot live without this boy. “The expense of training and keeping a dog healthy is challenging. The Colorado Pet Pantry helps immensely,” Christa says.
Christa joins us every other month at our Grand Junction pet food bank on the Western Slope of Colorado where she is able to get Bentley the pet food he needs to thrive.
In December, 2020, Colorado Pet Pantry finally crossed the Continental Divide and opened the Grand Junction/Clifton pet food bank. Over the past couple years, this has turned into one of our busiest locations. On an average month, we distribute 4,600 lbs of dry pet food to 155 families, helping them keep their 485 pets in their loving homes and out of shelters.
We would not be able to do this every single month if it weren’t for our amazing supporters. We are working hard to grow our network of supporters, volunteers and donors on the Western Slope. You can help support our operations on the Western Slope (or anywhere in Colorado) by donating funds, pet food, or time. Together we can assist all the Bentley’s in Colorado, to be sure they have the ability to stay in their homes with their loving humans forever.
It’s that time of the year! Many of our pet food banks will be on a special schedule for November and December, due to the holiday season. Please check the list below to see when your pet food bank is scheduled. All of these reschedules will be notated on our normal calendar, which can be found at coloradopetpantry.org/foodbank
DECEMBER:
Lynn Garden’s Baptist Church, 3804 W Pueblo Blvd in Pueblo (more info) Wednesday, December 15th, 10AM-12PM
EFAA, 1575 Yarmouth Ave in Boulder (more info) Thursday, December 16th, 2:30PM-4:30PM
Sharing Ministries, 49 North 1st Street in Montrose (more info) Friday, December 17th, 9:30AM-12:30PM
Western Slope Food Bank of the Rockies, 3241 F 1/4 Road in Clifton (more info) Saturday, December 18th, 9AM-11AM
Food Bank for Larimer County, 2600 N Lincoln Ave in Loveland (more info) Saturday, December 18th, 1PM-3PM
Ordway Pet Food bank, Location TBD in Ordway (more info) Monday, December 20th, 2PM-3:30PM
St Michael’s Catholic Church, 1016 Mystic Ave in Cañon City (more info) Saturday, January 8th, 10AM-1Pm
A great way to support Colorado Pet Pantry during this giving season is by starting a fundraiser on ColoradoGives.org. This is a wonderful way to use the collective power of community to raise more awareness and funds for your favorite non-profits.
Here are three steps to making a fundraising page:
Visit ColoradoGives.org and login with a Donor Account. If you do not have a Donor Account, it’s quick and easy to make one.
Once you are logged into your Donor Account, and on our page, scroll down and click START A FUNDRAISER.
You are welcome to “Use this Template” or “Create without using a template”. If you choose to use our template, then the text will auto-fill for you and you will only need to customize parts of it.
Complete the form and add your content. There are many photos that you can use on our Facebook page if you would like.
Submit your page for approval any time after November 1st and before Colorado Gives Day (12/7/21), we will approve your page, and every donation will be partially matched by the $1.6 Million Incentive Fund, now through December 7th.
— Thank you for helping us to feed more pets and keep them with their loving families —
Every September our wonderful friends at Applewood Plumbing Heating & Electric have an amazing fundraiser for Colorado Pet Pantry. This is a great deal!
If you schedule your 14-Point “Energy Squeezer” furnace systems check from Applewood during the month of September and mention Colorado Pet Pantry, 100% of your payment goes straight to Colorado Pet Pantry.Woof! Woof!
Normally a $199 service, Applewood offers this to our supporters for just $99. Schedule your service today: Go to https://www.applewoodfixit.com
Rally your friends and family to vote for just $1 per vote.
You have one month to gain the most votes. Contest ends June 4th at 9PM.
The pet with the most votes at the end of the contest will win the coveted “Cover Dog”.
Our top 13 vote-getters will each win the grand prize, which includes a mini-session with Furever Friends Pet Photography and a feature in the 2022 Calendar, benefiting Colorado Pet Pantry!
BONUS: If we raise over $10,000, each Grand Prize Winner will receive a 16″x20″ Wall Print of their pet’s calendar feature on Classic Canvas, Modern Metal, or Stunning Acrylic.
SECOND BONUS: Each week we will have amazing pet-related baskets of prizes for the current vote leader.
Last year’s winners of the 1st Annual 2021 Calendar Contest (woof and quack!) This contest is always a ton of fun and a great fundraiser for Colorado Pet Pantry. Please join us, enter your pet today!
Have we got a deal for you… The Sidewalk Dog Brewery Pass This is a pass you purchase (on pre-sale pricing now until April 26th) where 5% of the proceeds go to Colorado Pet Pantry. With eligible breweries all along the front range, this is a screaming deal.
If you buy today, you can get your pass at a price of only $22.50 (or $20 for two; normally $25) and you can head to breweries with your pup (non-dog hoomans allowed too) and enjoy a pint of beer (or non-alcoholic alternative) while supporting Colorado Pet Pantry.
This is a great opportunity to support local businesses and local non-profits at the same time. All you do is go to this link, purchase your pass, and select Colorado Pet Pantry as your beneficiary. We hope to see you out and about…
Want to make a difference today? Choose one way below to support the Colorado Pet Pantry and consider it done!
We have six ways, some quick, some not, to support the Colorado Pet Pantry this month.
1. Learn about the Pet Food Bank “Lead Volunteer” Role
In 2015 we plan to grow to six monthly pet food banks (we currently hold four monthly food banks). This will allow us to help many more pets and families in different areas between Denver and Boulder. To expand, we need more volunteers who can commit to about seven hours per month. Food banks are typically held during the weekday, so a flexible schedule is a must. We’ll train you to run the pet food bank and you’ll always have support. And don’t worry about that wedding in June, we have backup plans for sick days and vacations. If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a lead volunteer for a pet food bank, please contact us.
