“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!
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.
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.
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.
We will be distributing pet food at Westside Community Center, (Colorado Springs) at 1628 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. We are there on the fourth Wednesday from 1:00-3:00pm and pet food distributions are typically held outside.
We will be distributing pet food at Westside Community Center, (Colorado Springs) at 1628 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. We are there on the fourth Wednesday from 1:00-3:00pm and pet food distributions are typically held outside.
We will be distributing pet food at Westside Community Center, (Colorado Springs) at 1628 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. We are there on the fourth Wednesday from 1:00-3:00pm and pet food distributions are typically held outside.
We will be distributing pet food at Westside Community Center, (Colorado Springs) at 1628 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. We are there on the fourth Wednesday from 1:00-3:00pm and pet food distributions are typically held outside.
Lisa adopted sweet Velcro as a kitten. Dirty and alone, she took Velcro in and it was love at first sight. “She’s my joy to celebrate successes, and the door greeter welcoming any and all guests. Every day I thank the Universe for bringing her into my life.”
As Velcro grew up, Lisa learned her little body required a special, very expensive, prescription food to stay healthy. Due to the amazing donations by our generous pet food donors, Colorado Pet Pantry typically has this type of food on-hand. “It is very expensive but necessary to prevent her from getting sick. I can’t thank Colorado Pet Pantry enough for providing this cat food in a time when affording rent has become very overwhelming. Basic necessities are a struggle, and I am honestly not sure what I would have done to provide Velcro with her prescription food.”
Colorado Pet Pantry is a supplemental pet food assistance program. Offering pet food to our clients every other month enables us to lift a huge financial burden that furry friends can have on a monthly budget.
In 2022, Colorado Pet Pantry provided almost seven million meals to families across Colorado. It is our honor to be able to offer this service to so many community members.
We will be distributing pet food at Westside Community Center, (Colorado Springs) at 1628 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. We are there on the fourth Wednesday from 1:00-3:00pm and pet food distributions are typically held outside.
On Saturday, August 5, local animal welfare organizations are joining forces for Denver’s 6th Annual RELAY FOR RESCUE!
Join in on the fun as we build awareness, attract local supporters, and raise money for each individual cause. You will compete for the coveted grand prize by completing a scavenger hunt.
Tasks include a balloon hop, locked elbows, newspaper press, and more. All for the animals!
It is $40 to participate and you receive a color-coordinating t-shirt that associates with the organization (“team”) of your choice, Colorado Pet Pantry is Team Orange, a donation to your chosen charity, and a SAFE way to have a lot of FUN.
The goal is to have over 500 participants and raise at least $25,000 through registrations and sponsorships. So round up your animal loving friends, family, and co-workers near and far and get ready to show the nation that Denver still has what it takes to Relay For Rescue.
MUST BE AT LEAST 21 YEARS OLD TO PARTICIPATE
*Register by *JULY 21* to guarantee your t-shirt size and color!
We will be distributing pet food at Westside Community Center, (Colorado Springs) at 1628 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. We are there on the fourth Wednesday from 1:00-3:00pm and pet food distributions are typically held outside.
Below, we have created text for you to copy/paste and email to your friends so that you can easily invite them to our Raise the Woof! Rooftop Party for a Cause fundraiser. We really appreciate any and all networking you are willing to do. Thank you!
This annual fundraising event means a lot to me because I have personally been involved in Colorado Pet Pantry. I have witnessed their pet food assistance program in action and the work that they do is vital to keeping our community pets in their homes and out of shelters. At this point in time, Colorado Pet Pantry is seeing record numbers for those who need help with pet food assistance. Animal shelters are maxed out, and pets need every chance possible to stay in their forever homes with the humans who love them. Colorado Pet Pantry has created such an efficient system, that they are able to feed a dog or a cat for an entire month with just a $5 donation. With the Raise the Woof! fundraiser, we hope to raise enough funds to feed thousands of additional pets in Colorado.
I would be honored if you would accompany me, and also share this event with others – we are hoping to FILL the rooftop, and raise much needed funds so that we can help as many pets in the future as possible.
We will be distributing pet food at Westside Community Center, (Colorado Springs) at 1628 W Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904. We are there on the fourth Wednesday from 1:00-3:00pm and pet food distributions are typically held outside.
Due to the heat of the summer, we have altered our normal pet food bank hours to take place during the mornings, from 7:30AM to 9:30AM.
In addition, we do plan to have a July pet food bank this year. You are welcome to come to our pet food bank in July if you have not received pet food since May 2023.
We will distribute pet food on July 31st and August 28th from 7:30AM to 9:30AM.
Our services are meant to be supplementary and do not cover all of your pet food needs.
Ten years ago today we held our first pet food bank on a sunny June 6th, in Northwest Denver at Bienvenidos Food Bank. This adventure started as an experiment. I knew I had stuff in my cupboard that my pups didn’t need, and I figured most pet families did as well. The idea was to collect all of the pet food that people didn’t need or want, and get it to those who would use it. The original plan was not to expand past Denver. In fact, Denver Pet Pantry was one of the original names we considered. But then, in a moment of wishful premonition, we decided to call the organization Colorado Pet Pantry, just in case we stretched outside of Denver.
Photos of our very first pet food bank, June 6, 2013.
It was a slow go at first. We needed to learn everything from scratch. Was there a need? Where would we find enough pet food to serve the people coming to our pet food bank? Where would we store the pet food before it was distributed? How would we get the pet food from the donation collection locations to (what would become) our warehouse? How would we find volunteers? Would people donate to the cause? Would human food banks want to partner with us and offer this service to their clients? Would there be an ability for us to not only help people in need, but also other animal welfare organizations? And last but not least, is it ever possible to get the pet food smell out of a vehicle when bags of kibble have filled every crevice of it for the past 10 years? I can answer that one quickly, no.
The answers to all of the questions above are the kindness of people, generosity of partners, dedication of a team, and a really good vacuum.
We have learned so much over the last 10 years. We learned that the key to making change is to ask others to help and join in the effort. Colorado Pet Pantry doesn’t do anything alone. Everything we do requires multiple people, organizations, and brands. This is the group project that actually worked out, because Colorado is so dedicated to its pets.
Every year people ask me where I envision Colorado Pet Pantry going next. That’s such a hard question. Life is full of twists and turns… the economy, a global pandemic, inflation, supply chain bottlenecks; there are so many things that affect people and business livelihoods, which in turn affect our capacity to help.
The vision is that all pets in Colorado have the food they need, and families have the ability to keep their pets through thick and thin. But the reality is the Colorado Pet Pantry grows as more people and partners learn about this easy way to keep pets with their families. Our goal is to give pet families relief. That relief means we must make decisions, cautiously and carefully. As we gain more volunteers, acquire more pet food, and raise more funds, we are able to grow and help more pets.
What is truly remarkable, is how people will step up, and life‘s twists and turns become opportunities to help communities. In turn we all get to see and feel the benefits. In another 10 years, I expect you’ll see many more people being assisted by Colorado Pet Pantry. You will see more partners joining the effort to keep pets with their families. And you will see our organization in every part of the state where need exists.
I’ve always looked at what Colorado Pet Pantry does as a solvable problem. We don’t need to produce more food, or pet supplies, to help people get what they need. What we need to do is figure out how to get all of these items from the people and businesses who don’t need them, to the people who do need them.
Colorado Pet Pantry’s Second Warehouse in Cortez, Colorado
After 10 years, we now have 102 monthly pet food banks throughout the state of Colorado (click here for a map of all our open-to-the-public pet food banks). In 2013, I would have never imagined that’s what our future held. But now, I see a future where other states have statewide pet food banks, and Colorado Pet Pantry helps to mentor that process. Where volunteers know that in just a few hours each month, they can make a real difference in the lives of pets and people in their communities. That anyone with a little extra pet food in their cupboard can know that donating that bag might make the difference of someone being able to keep their pet, versus relinquishing it to a shelter. That donors know it takes just a few dollars to make a huge difference in the lives of pet guardians in their neighborhoods.
Watching the volunteers and staff at Colorado Pet Pantry, I can tell you that everyone works hard to make this organization run smoothly, so people can get the help they need, when they need it.
But what we’re doing is not difficult per sé, and after 10 years, I can truly say that the reason we thrive is because of our team. This team includes you, someone who loves and values pets AND humans alike. In another 10 years, I believe the love will continue to grow, spread, and fill those bellies with good food and an occasional tasty little treat.
Thank you for supporting us over this incredible decade. Decade number two starts today, we’re so grateful that you’re here with us.
For 24 years, The Denver Arts Festival has dedicated itself to supporting Colorado visual artists while showcasing a select group of national artists. The Festival is on Memorial Day Weekend, May 27th & 28th at Conservatory Green at Central Park. The fine art and fine craft exhibition features over 150 of Colorado’s best artists along with a select group of national artists with an attendance of over 40,000.
Join Colorado Pet Pantry and raise money for pets-in-need at The Denver Arts Festival this year. We will staff the beverage area, ticket sales, and tents. In return, our charity will receive profits from every beverage sold at this festival. We have several shifts to sign up for, so please sign up for whatever works for you! But know that if you need to cancel, please do so ASAP as we rely on our volunteers to make this happen.
