Pet food pantry sets distribution date

To help pet owners during the pandemic, the Willowick Pet Food Pantry will be holding a pet food distribution July 25.

To help pet owners during the coronavirus pandemic, the Willowick Pet Food Pantry will be holding a pet food distribution July 25.

The distribution — from 8 to 10 a.m. at Willow Praise Church at 32905 Vine St. — will be full of food for cats and dogs to help those who may have been struggling with feeding their pets.

It was only a few months ago when the pantry donated over 3,000 pounds of food to help local pet owners.

In addition to pet food, the pantry provided toilet paper, paper towels and toothpaste to those in need, according to the pantry. Around 125 people were assisted, and 2,850 pounds of food was distributed to those in need, the pantry said.

Willowick Pet Food Pantry began distributing pet food in January 2016 and has since distributed almost 110,000 pounds of cat and dog food.

Elvira Bellegoni, director of volunteering, shared the food pantry’s commitment to community work and how the need for pet food has become even more critical.

“Especially this year, due to COVID-19 and so many people losing their jobs, the need has increased tremendously. The pantry always had one monthly distribution; however, for the last four months, instead of a total of four distributions, it has given 13 distributions,” she said.

Also, instead of distributing pet food at just the Willowick location, the pantry has expanded to holding distributions

“Especially this year, due to COVID-19 and so many people losing their jobs, the need has increased tremendously. The pantry always had one monthly distribution; however, for the last four months, instead of a total of four distributions, it has given 13 distributions.”

— Elvira Bellegoni, director of volunteering

in Ashtabula, Madison, Chardon and Painesville. On Aug. 1, the pantry will have another distribution in Ashtabula.

“The pantry has been very fortunate to have supporters and volunteers that allowed it to achieve its goal of keeping pets’ tummies full and also help pet parents,” Bellegoni says.

Besides pet food, the pantry has other programs to help pets and pet parents: from free spay/neuter to financial assistance at end of life.