Agency’s investment insures families, pets stay together

Volunteers and staff at the Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth recognize the challenge facing families as a record number of pets are being abandoned or left in shelters, largely due to the recession. Many local families are using a pet food program at the food bank called “Don’t Forget to Feed Me.” The program was launched on Valentine’s Day.

Bo Soderbergh, the food bank’s executive director, said providing pet food to pantry clients is a win-win for all involved: the animals, their owners and the social services agency.

“The pets benefit from getting nutritious food specifically targeting their needs and their owners don’t have to sacrifice food from their own plates or spend precious dollars that are needed for food, rent and utilities,” Soderbergh said. “Ultimately, it helps keep the pets with their owners,” which is the group’s primary goal.

To date, Don’t Forget to Feed Me has garnered 50,000 pounds of canned and dry dog and cat food, pellets and seed plus $10,000 in cash donations. The food is distributed to participating pantries by Tarrant Area Food Bank, which serves almost 418,000 low- or limited-income people in a 13-county area.

“It’s a fledgling movement in communities and not always associated with food banks,” said Barbara Ewen, Tarrant Area Food Bank associate director. “It’s an issue whose time has come. Our network distribution is a natural fit. We’re trying to reach our client families before they lose their pets, to prevent them from going to a shelter or humane society or rescue group.”

The program’s list of partners, food drive events and volunteers is growing faster than a litter of kittens or puppies. Partners include all six area Russell Feed & Supply Inc. locations, nine PETCO stores, two City Markets, Handley Feed Store Inc., Three Dog Bakery and Marshall Grain stores in Fort Worth and Grapevine. The volunteer number has jumped from an initial 12-member committee to almost 200, including school children.

“The Metroplex, we’ve found since starting this, is a pet-loving community. We’ve been totally overwhelmed with the response,” said Terry Woodfin, chair and co-founder of Don’t Forget to Feed Me. “We’ve all had tears in our eyes with the response so far, with the cash and pet food donations as well as the endorsements and people who want to volunteer. Everyone tells us the same thing, ‘What an awesome idea.’”

Woodfin and Kim Pearson, a producer at WFAA-TV, conceived the idea a little more than a year ago, just as the economy began to plummet.

“The community needed it more than ever. Our success is due to the demand,” Woodfin said. “The timing was right but the need has always been there. It’s a valid need to our social services to help these families. There’s not one person who says my pet is not part of my family. I can’t imagine having to give a pet away,” she said. “We just want to keep pets with their families.”

Woodfin, administrative assistant for the Amon G. Carter Foundation, persuaded the foundation to get the ball rolling with a $5,000 donation. The food bank’s partnership on the project gave the idea validation, she said.

With the holiday season approaching amid continuing economic fallout, the need for pet food donations is stronger than ever, Ewen said.

“As soon as pet food comes in, it goes out on a truck like this,” said Woodfin, as she snapped her fingers.

Still in the early stages of an awareness campaign, Don’t Forget to Feed Me – which Woodfin describes as a “spinning top making amazing progress” – is beginning to have its bark heard. The group published its first newsletter, The Dish, is on Facebook and Twitter, and has billboards posted around Fort Worth. Food drive events have been hosted by a variety of businesses, corporations and schools, including Lockheed Martin Corp., Chadra Mezza & Grill, Central Market, Alcon  and Encore Acquisition Corp. All Saints Episcopal School had a food drive during its annual Blessing of the Pets. During the first school drive at Medlin Middle School in Trophy Club, students formed a volunteer group called Pet Dish Pals.

“Kids really get this,” Ewen said. “They have such a bond with their pets. When a family has to give up a pet because they can no longer afford it, it’s especially devastating to a child.”

Russell Feed & Supply, one of the organization’s permanent drop-off partners, is offering two free tickets to The Stockyards Championship Rodeo on Nov. 14 with a pet food donation at any of its locations. 

“We strongly feel that pets are a very important part of the family. When Terry e-mailed me that their cupboards were empty, we knew we had to do something extra,” said Russell Feed’s administrative assistant Brandye Bonner. “Not only does this help get the word out that the Tarrant Area Food Bank can help with family pet needs, but the free rodeo tickets give a low-cost evening out for the family.”

Woodfin said the group is continuing with networking and building, and hopes to find a community spokesperson and a donated van by this time next year.

“Needless to say, as a volunteer-only organization, we’re very excited to be making progress at such a fast pace,” she said. “All it takes is word of mouth – and love for animals.”

On the Web: www.dontforgettofeed-me.org or  www.tafb.org