HOPE Pet Food Bank marks year of service

One year ago, Bend Spay and Neuter Project and Bend Pet Express made a dream they shared come true by joining forces to open a Pet Food Bank for low-income pet owners in Central Oregon. On April 5 th they will celebrate having helped 271 families provide food for over 1,000 cats and dogs in Central Oregon in one year.

“Having the HOPE Pet Food Bank has meant being able to keep my dogs living with me and healthy. Without HOPE I probably would’ve been forced to give away or surrender my dogs to a shelter and for that I am forever grateful and forever thanking Bend Spay and Neuter Project and Bend Pet Express for all their help during my rough times. Thank you everyone there for the help” says Andrey Galan, a HOPE Food Bank client.

Megan Wellinghoff, executive director for BSNP said, “Stories like Andrey’s come up at every food distribution. We simply feel lucky to be able to provide our clients an alternative to surrendering or rehoming their beloved pets by providing them with supplemental pet food to help them get by.”

HOPE Pet Food Bank is open the first Saturday of each month from 10am to 12pm. Food is distributed from the Westside Bend Pet Express. Qualified clients are eligible to receive enough food for one month for up to three pets. HOPE Pet Food Distributions are staffed entirely by volunteers from Bend Spay and Neuter Project and Bend Pet Express.

This collaboration would not exist if it were not for the generous members of our Central Oregon community. Donations of cat and dog food are always needed to help continue this program. If you would like to collect food at your business, please contact Bend Spay and Neuter Project at 541-617-1010 and a donation box will be dropped off at your location. Donations may be dropped off at either Bend Pet Express location, Birkenstock of Bend, Cascade Business News or Bend Spay and Neuter Project during business hours.