TALLAHASSEE, Fla. May 6, 2020 Alley Cat Allies is adding to its unprecedented support of families with cats and dogs in their homes and caregivers who feed community cats, with a new donation of cat and dog food to the Tallahassee area. The donation to Second Harvest of the Big Bend is the latest in a series of bulk animal food relief shipments that Alley Cat Allies is providing through Feeding Florida food banks during the coronavirus crisis as it focuses on Keeping Families Togetherâ„¢.
- What: Public distribution of cat and dog food for families and community cat caregivers from Alley Cat Allies
- When: 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6
- Where: Legacy Toyota, 3800 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, Fla., 32304
- Visuals: Food distribution directly to caregivers, bags and pallets of animal food
“As people lose paychecks, there is a risk they may consider relinquishing the animals to shelters, and we want to do everything we can to prevent that from happening,” said Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies. “Our goals are to provide food to help families, including people and animals, to stay together, while also providing food for caregivers to continue supporting community cats.”
The joint effort with Second Harvest of the Big Bend nonprofit food bank builds upon Alley Cat Allies’ work with the rest of the Feeding Florida network.
“We recognize the important role pets play in providing comfort and companionship,” said Monique R. Ellsworth, CEO of Second Harvest. “Often, our most vulnerable citizens will go hungry, or cut their medications, so that they can afford to feed their beloved pet. Providing pet food relief helps ensure people don’t have to make these hard choices, and helps people stretch their funds for other essential expenses.”
Alley Cat Allies already shipped thousands of pounds of cat and dog food to Feeding South Florida in April. Collier County will be the site of the next delivery, with a new shipment of donations arriving in Naples, Florida, later this week. Through this ongoing initiative, Alley Cat Allies will work through the Feeding Florida network of regional food banks and thousands of pantries to provide food for cats and dogs at no cost to them during the coronavirus pandemic. Alley Cat Allies has also provided emergency grants to dozens of animal organizations across the country for food, medical care, vaccinations and other urgent needs.
As this economic disaster continues, food scarcity is becoming a growing concern. For this reason, Alley Cat Allies has posted to alleycat.org a state-by-state list of animal food banks offering assistance on its coronavirus response page, in addition to other coronavirus resources and tips for cat caregivers.
(Note to editors: Becky Robinson is available for interview via internet video. Pictures and video of the cat and dog food are also available upon request.)
About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies, headquartered in Bethesda, Md., is the global engine of change for cats. Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of all cats through its innovative, cutting-edge programs. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has grown into a powerful force with over half a million supporters. The organization has helped and inspired countless individuals, communities and other organizations to save and improve the lives of cats and kittens worldwide. Alley Cat Allies works with lawmakers, animal shelters and advocates to change attitudes and advance lifesaving policies that best serve the interests of cats. Alley Cat Allies’ website is www.alleycat.org, and the organization is active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About Feeding Florida
Feeding Florida is the state’s leading organization in the fight to end hunger. Its statewide network unites 12-member food banks to provide a healthy, adequate, and consistent food supply to every community every day. Feeding Florida food banks support more than 2,400 local charitable agencies, which provide food directly to individuals and families in need to ensure a hunger-free Florida. Feeding Florida is a unified voice regarding hunger and focuses on each community’s needs.
Feeding Florida’s member food banks include: All Faiths Food Bank, America’s Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Inc., Bread of the Mighty, Feeding Northeast Florida, Feeding South Florida, Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding the Gulf Coast, First Step Food Bank, Florida Gateway Food Bank, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and Treasure Coast Food Bank.
For more information about Feeding Florida or to find a local food bank, please visit www.feedingflorida.org.