Barc And The Southeast Ohio Food Bank Launched A Program To Tackle Food Insecurity For Pets And Owners

1 month ago

By: Arielle Teppert
Posted on: Thursday, April 10, 2025

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A caller programme ensures pets successful southeast Ohio don’t spell hungry.

Behavioral Analysis Reform for Companions, amended known arsenic BARC, and nan Southeast Ohio Food Bank launched a programme aimed astatine fighting nutrient insecurity for some pets and their owners.

Nearly 17% of southeastern Ohioans are impoverished and astir ain pets, according to Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP).

This operation has led to an summation successful animal surrenders and overcrowded shelters.

Melanie Yoder, executive head of BARC, said pet owners are often met pinch nan prime of surrendering their furry friend aliases feeding themselves.

“I don’t deliberation immoderate canine and immoderate displacement betwixt a quality and a pet should hap because of nan inability to provender oneself and your companion,” said Yoder.

To combat nan issue, PetSmart and Feeding America person donated hundreds of bags of pet nutrient to nan Southeast Ohio Food Bank.

Once donations are delivered they are sorted and distributed to group successful need.

Bags of pet nutrient astatine nan Southeast Ohio Food Bank

Alicia Miklos, head of nan Southeast Ohio Food Bank, said people’s guidance to this programme has made it worthwhile.

“It is astonishing conscionable to spot nan gratitude connected people’s faces erstwhile we are retired distributing resources,” said Miklos. “It warms my heart.”

Although nan programme is disconnected to a bully start, location is still much that needs to beryllium done.

With nan programme wholly aid based, organization outreach has go a captious component.

“We are asking for thief from nan organization to support this programme aid funded,” said Yoder.

Organizers dream that done donations and outreach opportunities, organization members will activity together to support furry friends successful their everlastingly homes.

For much accusation connected nan programme and really you tin donate visit hapcap.org/giveforpets.