CANTON, Ohio — Tucked away inside the Alter Clinic is an organization that’s feeding the ones that can’t feed themselves.
“Every day on social media there were requests for people needing food,” says Executive Director Lynn Serri.
The food is for their pets, those who fall on hard times asking for help. It’s a need that the Stark County Pet Food Pantry was created to meet.
“There wasn't anything like that in Stark County. There is in Portage County and Tuscarawas County, but for whatever reason Stark didn't have one."
For two months on average, Serri and her friend Christa O’Neill serve 100 people a week.
“We greet them, we show them into the office,” O’Neill said. “We then walk back to the pantry where I try to keep everything organized.”
They have food and other essentials for cats, dogs and small animals.
While they’re working for others, though, the organization has needs of its own.
“We need sponsorship, perhaps Purina or a company like that who could give us monthly donations of food,” Serri said. “The community, if we could get donations of food, cat litter is a big thing. That would be helpful.”
It’s a priority for the pantry to stay open to serve those who walk through the doors.
“The waiting room is full as soon as we open and it's full when we close,” O’Neill said.
It’s a dream for the founders to continue doing what they set out to do.
“Our mission is just because an owner cannot afford to feed you today, doesn't mean it should be relinquished to a shelter.”
Find more information on the pantry here.
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