The Ocean County Pet Food Pantry
For two years, Jamie Mancil, Alyssa Boffardi, Rondi Schelhamer and Kim Plungis of Jackson have been helping people in need at the Jackson Food Pantry by setting up their own “Pet Food Pantry” to provide assistance to pet owners. The group, while not connected with the food pantry officially, works in conjunction with the food pantry on their scheduled food distribution dates to provide assistance to the pantry’s guests who own pets.
Jamie Mancil, who started the pet food pantry says it’s for both dogs and cats. The group helps people by helping them keep their pets in good health and out of local shelters.
“I was looking in a magazine one day and saw it being done in Colorado, so I thought ‘I can do that too’.” Mancil said of the project.
The group gets donations from Pet-Value, the SPCA of Eatontown and donations from local residents. Mancil said that they assistance helps people keep their pets who may otherwise have had to part ways with their feline and canine companions because of the economy. As an economy goes to the dogs, it’s a very common occurrence for people who can no longer afford to maintain and feed their pets to either abandon them or bring them to a local shelter where they could ultimately be euthanized.
“The food pantry has been very generous to us by letting us do this here.” she said “ Since we started the pantry the attitude of the people has changed, they’re happier. They know that the whole family will be taken care of. The four of us are happy too. Were happy that we can touch others. It’s an indescribable feeling.”
If you wish to donate to the Ocean County Pet Food Pantry in Jackson, you can connect with the group on facebook. Mancil said they eventually hope to grow and expand the food pantry and are always looking for people willing to help out or donate.
Posted by Ocean County News
on Nov 12 2011. Filed under Headline News, Towns.
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