As a food pantry, NNEMAP is, at heart, a grocery store for people who need to bridge a temporary gap in their food budget. A modest goal, perhaps, but one we take very seriously. In addition to food for families, NNEMAP strives to provide other useful household items such as toiletries, personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies when we can get our hands on them.

We also try to feed all members of the families that shop with us, including their furry friends. While pet food may not seem like a big priority for a food pantry, it is a big priority for pet owners. By providing pet food for families, we keep them from sharing “people food” with their pets. This keeps all family members healthier. Human family members can eat the food that they are shopping for to keep from going hungry. Pets can eat pet food instead of table scraps, which are not healthy choices for the family dog or cat.

Our faithful church partners at St. Andrew Christian Church recently chipped in mightily to help feet Spot and Kitty Cat. As part of their Easter Egg Hunt activities, the church asked families to bring in pet food for NNEMAP. The Disciples of Christ congregation responded by bringing in a whopping 300 pounds of dog, puppy, cat and kitten chow for NNEMAP clients!

Visually impaired and other differently abled NNEMAP clients have service dogs. Many senior shoppers have pets for companionship. Some just have cats or dogs just for the joy of having a family pet. They are important members of our clients’ families, and we are proud to be able to dish up dinner for those four-legged family members.

Thank you to everyone at St. Andrew Christian Church for your generous donation. It’s as good as a belly rub for a hungry pet!

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Pet food is in chronically short supply at NNEMAP. If you would like to donate pet food for our families, please repackage dog food in one gallon size zip-lock bags and cat food in quart size zip-lock bags for ease of distribution. To schedule a drop-off time for your donation, please call the pantry at 614-297-0533 or e-mail info@nnemappantry.org. Thank you!!!