MIAMI April 13, 2020 Alley Cat Allies will immediately begin providing tens of thousands of pounds of cat and dog food to Feeding Florida food banks so familiesincluding people and animalscan stay together through the coronavirus crisis. The first of many truckloads in this long-term, statewide pet food donation initiative will arrive at Feeding South Florida on Monday, April 13.
What: First truckload of dog and cat food from Alley Cat Allies
When: Early afternoon on Monday, April 13
Where: Feeding South Florida – 2501 SW 32nd Terrace, Pembroke Park, 33023
“With skyrocketing unemployment in Florida, there is a major risk that people may feel they cannot keep the animals in their home, which would be a catastrophe,” said Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies. “Cats and other animals are an important part of the family, and especially during a crisis, it’s critical to keep families together. Our goal is that by providing the food these families need, we can prevent animals from being relinquished to animal shelters, thereby Keeping Families TogetherTM.”
The joint effort with Feeding South Florida is the first of a statewide initiative in which Alley Cat Allies will work through the Feeding Florida network of 12 regional food banks and thousands of pantries to provide food for cats and dogs at no cost to them during the Coronavirus pandemic. In the coming days, similar kickoffs will take place in more cities throughout Florida.
“We are excited to partner with Alley Cat Allies, especially during this time when the loss of daily routines as we once knew them has put a significant amount of anxiety and stress on individuals,” said Robin Safley, executive director of Feeding Florida. “Pets serve as companions to people and provide a degree of normalcy to their lives. This partnership will allow our network to not only provide food to individuals in need, but also to feed their pets.”
Food availability for cats and other animals becomes a significant, growing problem during an extended disaster response. For this reason, Alley Cat Allies has also posted to alleycat.org a state-by-state list of animal food banks to help caregivers throughout the country find food for the animals in their families.
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.
About Feeding South Florida
Feeding South Florida is the largest, most efficient food bank serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. More than 98% of all donations are put back into the community. Through innovative direct-service programs and a network of nonprofit partner agencies, Feeding South Florida distributed nearly 62 million pounds (51.5 million meals) of food last fiscal year to over 706,000 individuals 236,000 of whom are children and 100,000 are older adults.