Donate Now

Category: Newsletter

Colorado Pet Pantry Expands its Pet Food Bank to Cortez

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/30/24

Cortez, CO – Colorado Pet Pantry is hosting a new monthly pet food bank serving the Cortez area. The first pet food distribution event will take place on May 31, 2024 and will continue on the last Friday of every month from 12 – 2 PM.

This pet food bank is in partnership with Good Sam’s Food Pantry and is supported by the LOR Foundation. 

The addition of the pet food bank in Cortez comes after recent expansion in the Southwest area of Colorado including Dove Creek, Grand Junction, Mancos, and the Towaoc Reservation in the Four Corners region.

“We are thrilled to bring these much-needed services to the Cortez area,” said Eileen Lambert, Executive Director of the Colorado Pet Pantry. “The addition of this pet food bank has been years in the making, and we are grateful to our partners and volunteers who make it all possible. Because of our monthly pet food banks, we’ve been able to keep tens of thousands of pets fed, housed with their loving families, and out of shelters.”

Anyone needing assistance feeding their pets should visit coloradopetpantry.org and click “get help” to learn more.

Volunteers and donations are needed in the area for both the food bank and the warehouse. Interested persons should visit coloradopetpantry.org to learn more about how to support the mission.

About Colorado Pet Pantry

The Colorado Pet Pantry temporarily feeds 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. In the past 12 months, the Colorado Pet Pantry has served 9 million meals to hungry pets. The organization has 100 monthly pet food banks. The Colorado Pet Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our EIN is 45-4210185.

More info: coloradopetpantry.org

About the LOR Foundation

LOR works with rural communities in the Mountain West to enhance livability and prosperity while preserving the character that makes each community unique.

More info: lorfoundation.org

About Good Sam’s Food Pantry

The Good Samaritan Center is a food pantry and emerging community food center in Cortez, CO. We provide food assistance to anyone who needs it through market-style shopping for supplementary groceries and opportunities to grow food for personal use. Households can shop for groceries up to twice per month. Our Goals for 2024 include increasing the quantity and variety of locally produced food we distribute and working with members and partners to continue programs that educate, empower and nourish us as a community.

More info: goodsamscortez.org

Kroenke Sports Charities Supports Pet Families in Colorado

Whether it’s from a donation of pet food, volunteer time, live auction items for our fundraisers, or multiple grants to our organization, one thing is clear: Kroenke Sports Charities takes the livelihood of Colorado pet families seriously.

Over the years Kroenke Sports Charities has been overwhelmingly generous to Colorado Pet Pantry. Each year, they send Bernie, the Avalanche Mascot to one of our pet food pantries to help distribute pet food.

A delight to children and pets, Bernie graciously helps distribute thousands of pounds of kibble to local pet families, helping to keep their pets in their homes and out of shelters.

With the help of Kroenke Sports Charities, Colorado Pet Pantry has distributed over 35 million meals in the last 11 years.

Everything we do, we do with help, and Kroenke Sports Charities has consistently shown up for us, year after year, as a local leader in community support.

Join us in saying THANK YOU to Kroenke Sports Charities!

Pet Food Experts Supports Colorado Pet Pantry with Food Donations

Colorado Pet Pantry relies on monthly contributions from large-scale pet food brands to sustain our over 100 monthly pet food pantries. Year after year, Pet Food Experts has heard our calls, and in the last 11 years, donated over 272,000 pounds of pet food to our organization.

Every month, Pet Food Experts donates almost 20 pallets of food to Colorado Pet Pantry, helping over thousands of dogs and cats stay with their families.

Without donors like this, Colorado Pet Pantry would not be able to operate on the scale at which we do. So please join us in saying “THANK YOU” to Pet Food Experts for their incredible generosity and care for their pet-owning community.

Help Colorado Pet Pantry continue to serve Northern Colorado

We are avidly looking for the right volunteer to help us continue to serve Northeastern Colorado. This could be you! Here are a few details of what we need. If you are interested to learn more, please reach out:

Tasks:

  • Pick up pet food from our warehouse in Englewood – this could happen the morning of the pet food bank or a day before, as decided with volunteer and warehouse staff
  • Colorado Pet Pantry warehouse staff will help you load pet food into the Colorado Pet Pantry van
  • You will drive the pet food to Greeley, approximately 1.5 hours North to Weld Food Bank, 1108 H Street and arrive by (or before) 8:30AM on the first Monday of every month.
  • Once there, you will meet your four or five Colorado Pet Pantry volunteers at Weld Food Bank and set up a table for pet food pantry clients to drive through and receive food for their dogs and cats. Colorado Pet Pantry has mastered this process and will train you on best practices to make the pet food pantry flow as easy as possible.
  • The pet food distribution is open to the public from 9AM to 11AM. You will serve pet food to the residents of Greeley and surrounding areas in an effort to help them keep their beloved pets in their homes and out of shelters.
  • At 11AM, you and your volunteers will pack up any remaining supplies into the van.

Importance of this role:
Colorado Pet Pantry is a statewide organization. Our Greeley pet food pantry is our Northern-most pet food pantry, covering the gap of land between Longmont, Loveland, and Fort Morgan, up North to the Wyoming border. This pantry reaches a host of rural communities in desperate need of pet food assistance.

With pet relinquishment at an all-time high, and many shelters reaching maximum capacity, it is essential that we continue to help this community. The Weld Food Bank Pet Food distribution began in March 2021. In our first distribution, we gave over 1,300 pounds of pet food to 46 families and their 108 pets. This location has since grown to distribute over 3,300 pounds of pet food to 101 families and their 373 pets, as of March of 2024. We are looking for a committed volunteer to help us continue this valued service to the Northeastern pet community in Colorado.

Qualifications:

  • Driver’s License with a clean record
  • Leadership skills
  • Great Team-worker
  • Compassion for animals and humans
  • Ability to repetitively lift 20-30lbs
  • Commitment once per month

Time Commitment: Approximately 7-8 hours total per month

  • 30 minutes to an hour at the warehouse getting the van all ready to go
  • 3-hour round trip driving to and from Englewood and Greeley
  • 3 hours setting up, distributing pet food, and breaking down pet food pantry supplies.

Training Opportunities:
 We will train the selected volunteer on all parts of this role. We will assist and accompany until this candidate feels completely comfortable doing things on their own.

Work Environment: 
Our Englewood Warehouse is a shared space with other human food bank partners. We have 2-3 staff at the warehouse at any time to assist with needs. At Weld Food Bank in Greeley, we will set up our pet food pantry in the parking lot, alongside the human food bank during their distribution day. This helps us make our services easier to access, and also provides us with the support of the human food bank staff, should we need anything during out pet food pantry.

Volunteer Perks:
 You get to interact directly with those who are impacted by our services. This is an incredibly rewarding experience. Dogs (and sometimes even cats) often attend the pet food pantry. We will supply you with a Colorado Pet Pantry T-Shirt and involve you in volunteer get-togethers, and appreciation events. Volunteering with Colorado Pet Pantry is a great way to be involved in animal welfare industry in a positive and uplifting way. Keeping families together is a win-win for all involved.

How to Apply:
 To apply for this position, please email your interest to volunteer@coloradopetpantry.org and we will reach out with the next steps.

Colorado Pet Pantry is only as strong as our volunteer force, and we have an amazing team. We are hoping that this opening will be the right opportunity for the right person to step up and make a difference in the lives of pets in Northeastern Colorado.

Volunteer Spotlight: Krystal Parish

We are excited to shine a spotlight on one of our remarkable volunteers who has been making a significant impact through her dedication and passion. Meet Krystal Parish!

Why Krystal Stands Out

Krystal has been working with Colorado Pet Pantry for seven years. Beyond her commitment to our mission, she is an avid traveler, skier, and devoted animal lover.  

Krystal goes above and beyond by actively participating in our fundraising efforts, helping to staff community pet food banks, lead community outreach events, and transporting pet food donations from all over the state!

You can catch Krystal at Parry’s Pizza this Thursday, or out hitting the slopes in Winter Park. Be sure to check out her generously donated auction item, available for rent year-round! 

Words of Appreciation

We’re incredibly grateful to have Krystal as part of our team! Her infectious positivity, sense of humor, and genuine passion for our cause light up our community.

Working with Krystal isn’t just fun and fulfilling—it amplifies our impact for animals in need. We appreciate her dedication and uplifting spirit, and we’d love for more folks to join us in making a difference together!

Join Krystal and others in making a difference by exploring volunteer opportunities on our website. Not able to volunteer? Consider making a donation. Thanks to our pet food partnerships, just a $5 donation can support one dog or cat with 30-days worth of pet food.

Exciting Opportunity for the Right Volunteer

We are looking for the right individual to run our Greeley pet food pantry. This pet food pantry serves a large area in Northeastern Colorado, and this community counts on Colorado Pet Pantry. On the first Monday of every month, from 9-11AM, we distribute about 1,500 pounds of dog food and 550 pounds of cat food to 80 families, helping over 300 pets stay in their loving homes. 

You could reside in the Denver area, or you could live near Greeley, Colorado. Either way, we need your help! 

As lead volunteer, you would transport pet food in our Colorado Pet Pantry van, from our Englewood Warehouse, North to Greeley, and then back again after the pet food bank. The volunteers arrive at Weld Food Bank, at 8:15AM, help you set up and distribute pet food to our clients. Then at 11AM, the pet food bank closes, you and your volunteers pack up any remaining supplies into the van (there usually isn’t much if any), and depart about 11:30AM. 

Test the Waters – On Monday, April 1st, join us in Greeley to find out if this is the right fit for you. If you have ever volunteered at a pet food pantry before, you would know this is a very rewarding experience, with lots of wagging tails involved. 🙂

Email info@coloradopetpantry.org if you would like to join us in April.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Sincerely,
Eileen Lambert
Executive Director
Colorado Pet Pantry

Purina Supports Colorado Pets through Ongoing Pet Food Donations

Since Colorado Pet Pantry began in 2013, Purina has donated almost 200,000 pounds of pet food and supplies to the program. This type of large-brand ongoing donation is what makes Colorado Pet Pantry’s work possible.

Thanks to Purina, we are able to plan ahead, strategize, and help as many pets as possible in Colorado with pet food assistance. Purina cares about their community and has stepped up in numerous situations with large-scale donations of dog and cat food.

Join us in saying THANK YOU to our amazing pet food donor, Purina. ❤️

Only Natural Pet Supports Colorado Pet Families

We LOVE Only Natural Pet!

This local company, founded right here in Boulder, has been an instrumental supporter of Colorado pet families for as long as Colorado Pet Pantry has existed.

In addition to monthly multiple-pallet-sized (thousands of pounds) donations of brand new pet food, Only Natural Pet donates all close to best-by date or damaged bags of pet food to Colorado Pet Pantry. THIS is how we are able to operate.

This type of product, no longer sell-able in stores, would otherwise be headed straight to the landfill. Colorado Pet Pantry rescues this pet food, and with the help of valued partners like Only Natural Pet, directs it straight into the bowls of dogs and cats who need it the most.

“At Only Natural Pet we are fortunate to be working with local partners such as Colorado Pet Pantry (CPP) who share both our values and commitment to our Colorado community. For over 10 years, CPP has been supporting our local community and we look forward to supporting CPP efforts to make a difference in the lives of pets and families for years to come.” 

~ The Team at Only Natural Pet

Thank you, Only Natural Pet, for partnering with us in our mission to reduce the unwanted pet population, and ensure that no pet family need to relinquish their beloved pet due to financial constraints or lack of resources. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are so happy to have you on board.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Supports Colorado Pet Pantry

Over the last decade Hill’s Pet Nutrition has been a vital pet food donor to Colorado Pet Pantry. With thousands of pounds of pet food donated, they have consistently supported our organization. From puppy, to senior, canned and adult kibble, Hills has been supporting Colorado pet families in an amazing way.

Over the last decade, Hills Pet Nutrition has donated over 300,000 pounds of pet food to Colorado Pet Pantry!

Join us in saying THANK YOU to this company, for putting the needs of pets first.

We Love “I And Love And You”

“I and Love and You” was created in Boulder and has been a huge supporter for many years. When we called them a couple weeks ago to tell them we were very low on pet food, they jumped to assist us with a truck of donations.

Over the last ten years, I and Love and You has donated over 350,000 pounds of pet food to Colorado Pet Pantry!

During the month of January, I and Love and You has featured us as the “Rescue of the Month”! Thank you so much to this valued partner of Colorado Pet Pantry.

Supporting our food donors helps them to support Colorado Pet Pantry. Check your favorite store for their delicious and nutritious pet food selections!

Alert: WE NEED PET FOOD

Wet food, dry food, or canned – we need it.

Three years ago, when the world shut down for a pandemic, so did the pet food factories and their ingredient suppliers. Because Colorado Pet Pantry accepts large scale donations of short-dated pet food, it has taken three years for the effects of the shut down to reach us. The pet food that would have expired, literally does not exist, so the donations are nonexistent.

At our current capacity, with 100 pet food pantries, we need about 100,000 pounds of pet food to make it through each month. Our outlook on incoming large scale donations is bleak. We have asked every major pet food band out there for help (do you know anyone at any major pet food brands? If so please email us at info@coloradopetpantry.org we are open to any and all suggestions). Many have responded, but there is still a major shortfall in the amount of donations coming in and the amount we need.

Because of this shortfall, we are having to make drastic changes. Starting immediately, we are moving our pet food recipients to only receive food every three months (before it was every other month). This is a necessity if we want to continue helping as many people as possible.

What can you do to help?

Start a pet food drive in your community or place of business

  • Pet food drives are a great way to spread awareness about our organization, and provide a solution to our biggest problem – the need for more food donations. Colorado Pet Pantry started as a small community supported organization with just a few donation drop off stores. Our program only works if donations exist. And we need your help. Learn more here.

Network with your group

  • Do you know anyone who works for a pet food company? Or anywhere that we could source large-scale donations? We often partner with retail stores such as Costco, Target, Veterinary Clinics, etc. to accept any short-dated or damaged pet food bags. If you or someone you know works in a store that sells pet food, and has access to expiring pet food, please put us in touch by emailing info@coloradopetpantry.org!

Ultimately the pet food factories did start up again. The world got back to a new normal, and in the future, donations will exist. But right now, we need our community to help us bridge this gap.

Thank you, Your Friends at Colorado Pet Pantry

Client Stories – Angela and Claire

“Claire is a hound who loves people!” Angela laughs, as she describes Claire’s antics. “She yodels at everyone she meets and loves to point at squirrels!” Claire lost her home when her former owner passed away and no provisions were made for her. Angela came to the rescue by taking Claire into her heart and her home.

“She always knows my moods and is extremely sensitive to when I need her. She is everything to me.” But, Angela laments, “With the economy today it is very expensive for dog food. Claire is a 100 pound Black Labrador/Pointer mix and she eats a lot!”

Angela adds, “Colorado Pet Pantry is a life saver! They supplement Claire’s food and save me money for other bills. Without Pet Pantry, I would be forced to feed Claire cheap dog food or even people food, which isn’t good for her.”

Colorado Pet Pantry returns Claire’s joyful yodel in our appreciation for dedicated pet owners like Angela and promise to keep helping these two in the future.

Impact Report – 2023

In the last 12 months…

  • 9 Million Meals fed to pets in need
  • 1.5 Million Pounds of kibble and
  • 309,000 Cans of wet food distributed to dogs and cats
  • 150,000 Dogs and Cats received a 30-day supply of food
  • 45,000 Families assisted in keeping their pets at home
  • 928 Volunteers generously donated their time, adding up to
  • 17,537 Hours of Service, equates to
  • $602,558 Donated toward keeping families together
  • ($34.36 per hour in Colorado via Independent Sector in 2023)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

  • Doubled warehouse space in Cortez to be more efficient with transporting pet food to Southwest Colorado, reducing our carbon footprint and better preparing for winter months
  • Rescued 1.5 Million pounds of pet food from people, businesses, and pet food brands that may have been destined for landfills, to help feed pets-in-need
  • Partnered with Food Bank of the Rockies to move almost 100,000 lbs of pet food each year to the Western Slope in their trucks with available pallet space.
  • Collected thousands of pet related supplies and streamlined them into the hands of over 100 animal welfare organizations in Colorado, through our Animal Welfare Share Program.

BUILDING EFFICIENCIES WITHIN ANIMAL WELFARE

  • It costs $200-$2,000 for an animal shelter or rescue to re-home a pet. Colorado Pet Pantry helps beloved pets stay with their people so shelters and rescues can focus on truly homeless pets.
  • Our Animal Welfare Share Program is a hub for donated dog and cat supplies, allowing animal rescues, shelters, low-cost veterinary services, and other animal welfare organizations the ability to reduce the amount spent on items like pet beds, collars, leashes, crates, kennels, bowls, and prescription pet food, saving these items from landfills, and saving funds for other much-needed services, such as vet care.

Start a Fundraiser for Colorado Pet Pantry on ColoradoGives.org

The amazing thing about Colorado Gives Day, is that you can amplify your gift with partial and full donation matches. This day embodies the power of community giving. When we work together, and a lot of people pitch in, we can do amazing things.

Please help us make the most of this moment in time by starting a fundraiser on ColoradoGives.org for Colorado Pet Pantry. This year, we have an ambitious goal of raising $100,000 to help feed more pets in 2024. If you would like to help us reach this goal, we urge you to take this easy-to-use fundraising platform and put it to good use.

Here are the steps to create your fundraiser on our page:

  • Click the Fundraise Button on our Organization Page
  • Select “Get Started” and make sure to have “Use Template Provided by Organization” clicked to get started right away – you can still customize this template.
  • If you choose to customize your goal, deadline, and story, you can do that here, otherwise go ahead and hit PUBLISH, and please SHARE this fundraiser with your network, co-workers, or any animal lovers you know!

Together we can make a difference in the lives of pets this season. Thank you for being an active part of our Colorado Pet Pantry community.