All Faiths Food Bank Feeds Pets

August 26, 2024 | Sarasota

For some of our neighbors who are experiencing hunger, it’s not just about putting food on the table for themselves and family members – it’s also about filling the bowls of their beloved pets. Unfortunately, as the cost of living continues to outpace many workers’ earnings, pet food prices have risen 23% since 2021, according to a report from Petfood Industry magazine.

A recent donation of nearly 42,000 pounds of pet food from PetSmart Charities to All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB), part of the Feeding America network, will help area pet owners ensure their four-legged family members have enough to eat. The food – equaling 440 23-lb. bags of cat food and 924 34-lb. bags of dog food – is being distributed at AFFB’s mobile pantries, through AFFB’s agency partners, and AFFB community partner TANKS Animal Rescue in Myakka City.

The donation is part of PetSmart Charities’ nationwide partnership with Feeding America, a multi-year collaboration, which began in 2021. As of September 2023, there were more than 113 Feeding America-affiliated food banks, including AFFB, offering pet food in addition to human food.

Pet food isn’t the only issue for people facing financial challenges: the combined costs of pet ownership – including veterinary care, cat litter and grooming items – have seen year-over-year price hikes. Meanwhile, the cost of essentials such as housing, gas, childcare and food are causing financial strain for many of our neighbors. A sad result is an increasing number of pets being surrendered or returned to animal shelters.

Research from PetSmart Charities found that 30 million pets face hunger each year due to the economic struggles of their owners. According to the organization, the pet food donation will not only help to provide sufficient nourishment for pets – it will ensure local pets are able to stay with their families, where they are loved and wanted.

“Pets are an important part of the family, and we know that pet owners will skip meals to feed their fur babies,” said Chuck Wolbert, food resource manager for All Faiths Food Bank. “This donation allows our neighbors to save a little money and, hopefully, focus on feeding themselves.”

In a survey just released by LendingTree, 41% of pet owners admitted they are struggling to afford the costs related to pet ownership. While medical emergencies cause the hardest hit to pet owners’ wallets, 76% of survey respondents said that pet food was their biggest expense, 56% said veterinarian services, and 40% said pet supplies. Additionally, 39% of survey respondents said that they will not own a pet again in the future due to the costs.

For more about All Faiths Food Bank, or to find a comprehensive list of food distributions, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.