Pet Pals Holiday Pet Food Drive set for Nov. 27-Dec. 8

Every day in Richland County, Meals on Wheels volunteers serve more than 400 residents—with nearly three-fourth of recipients at or below 200 percent of the national poverty level. But something many people don’t realize is that the constant companions of these same elderly residents—their dogs, cats and even birds—also have a real challenge in getting a good meal because their owners cannot afford or access pet food.

“In delivering Meals on Wheels to our clients, our volunteers started noticing that many of their seniors were sharing their meals with their pets,” said Mekia Burgess of Senior Resources, the provider of Meals on Wheels service in Richland County. “Since this one meal was a major source of nutrition for our clients, we knew we had to help these special pet owners in more ways than one. That’s why we started the Pet Pals program to help feed our clients—and their pets.”.

Meals on Wheels clients who have a pet are eligible for the pet food assistance program. If they meet requirements, volunteers will deliver cat food or dog food to the client’s home once a month. To ensure that Pet Pals can meet the increasing need for pet food assistance, Senior Resources volunteers will hold a Pet Pals Holiday Pet Food Drive between Nov. 27 and Dec. 8. Accepted donations include both wet and dry canned or bagged dog and cat food, pet treats and even bird seed. Donations should weigh no more than 12 pounds each and can be dropped off at the following locations:

• The Vino Garage, 2327 Main Street, in downtown Columbia;
• Piggly Wiggly (The Social Pig), 3818 Devine Street;
• Senior Matters, 3710 Landmark Drive (off Forest Drive);
• Rosewood Drive Animal Clinic, 3002 Rosewood Drive;
• Natural Vibrations, 719 Harden Street (in Five Points); and
• SCETV Main Lobby, 1041 George Rogers Blvd.

Just look for the special donation bins marked “Pet Pals Holiday Pet Food Drive” at each of these locations during regular business hours.

If you would prefer to make an online monetary donation to Pet Pals, visit http://bit.ly/2hF10bZ and be sure to choose “Pet Pals” in the designation menu or mail donations to Senior Resources, 2817 Millwood Avenue, Columbia SC, 29205. Be sure to indicate it is for the Pet Pals program.

You can also choose to sponsor a pet for only $20 a month as a Pet Pals Sponsor, with funds going to feed and provide veterinary care to pets in the program. Click on the same online link above or call 803-252-7734 x256 for other payment options.

For more information on Senior Resources and all of their programs, visit https://www.seniorresourcesinc.org/.