CLEARFIELD – The Animal Welfare Council of the Alleghenies (AWC), a non-profit 501(c)(3), recently applied for and received a $5,000 grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust in Portland, Ore. for a Pet Food Voucher Program, according to Stacy LoCastro, executive director of Central Pennsylvania Community Action (CPCA).
The AWC began its formation in 2006 in the Clearfield area by a group of individuals who shared concern and passion for animals in the community and strived to fulfill the needs of local animals and their owners.
The AWC currently has a pet food pantry at their facility located at the Allegheny Spay & Neuter Clinic. Donated pet food is distributed to low income families for their pets referred through the local food pantries to help the pet owners to make ends meet and keep their pets fed and together with their family, explained LoCastro.
According to her, through the AWC in 2013, 2,100 pets received food. This food, she said, was received through donations of funds, donations of food from local drives and local companies. Unfortunately due to the need in the area and the demand, she said that the food is always running low.
LoCastro said that the Animal Welfare Council will purchase pet food at the lowest possible cost and maintain the food at the Allegheny Spay & Neuter Clinic in Woodland. The CPCA, she said, also a non-profit 501(c)(3), will partner with the AWC on this grant because of its mission and long-term work with families.
She said that the CPCA will complete the intakes for the individuals at its three offices in Clearfield County: Philipsburg, Houtzdale and Clearfield, using 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines. If eligible, she said the individual or family will receive a minimum of two and a maximum of three vouchers one time per quarter per household (or until funds/food runs out).
According to LoCastro, one voucher will equal one bag of dog or cat food. Once the voucher is received, she said the dog or cat food will be picked up by the individual or family at the AWC. The AWC, she said, estimates assisting approximately 1,000 pets with 250 bags of pet food at an average of $20 dollars a bag.
So far, the AWC has purchased (as pictured) $3,500 worth of dog and cat food for the program. This is the first time the AWC, CPCA and Banfield Charitable Trust have partnered, said LoCastro. She added, “We look forward to this partnership again in the future for this very important program for pets and families in our County.”
If you would like more information on how to access this program, please contact either the AWC at 814-857-2580 or the CPCA at 814-765-1551. Or for information on how to donate to the Pet Food Pantry please contact 814-857-2580.
