Hearts Alive Village has a stockpile of cat and dog foods to aid our ravaged community…
A while back I did this feature on Hearts Alive Village, a shelter and charitable foundation for cats and dogs. The wonderful sanctuary is an all-volunteer organization to assist animals with an extra focus on those with special needs.
I was given a tour of the facility by Sheryl Greenblatt, who serves as Director of Commubnity Engagement. Sheryl allowed me to visit the longtime “residents” of Hearts Alive Village and showed me their retail side, which sells high-quality pet foods at great tax-exempt prices to help fund their services. She also introduced me to Kendall’s Kupboard, a food bank/pantry created to assist pet parents suffering from financial difficulties.
This weekend, Sheryl reached out to let me know that the Kendall’s Kupboard is filled to the brim with donations, and she asked if I could help spread the word that resources are available for those in need:
We have a ton of food to help people who are facing financial difficulty during these crazy times and we need some help spreading the word. In the last two months we have served over 670 families, which equates to 1,415 dogs and 743 cats, We have seen the need for pet food increase 10x due to COVID-19. – Sheryl Greenblatt
With the rampant unemployment that’s crippled our valley, it would be unthinkable for families to have to abandon their pets because of the inability to purchase food. That’s why awareness of Kendall’s Kupboard is so vital.
Despite many businesses reopening, the unemployment rate in Las Vegas is over 33% and our community is hurting. Many of our neighbors don’t know how they will make their bills in the coming months. Sadly, this means that some people will think they have to choose between caring for themselves and caring for their furry family members.
If you need some extra support right now, it’s not your fault and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Hearts Alive Village has expanded Kendall’s Kupboard to feed community pets impacted by these difficult financial circumstances.
Please, if you or someone you know needs help feeding your animals, we are here for you. Visit Kendall’s Kupboard for more information and to fill out an application. No fur baby should ever go to sleep with an empty belly. – Hearts Alive Village
The reason that the food pantry is bursting at the seams is that it recently grew in scope and purpose. In April, Kendall’s Kupboard became the Pet Food Disaster Distribution Center for the State of Nevada, thanks to food donations from GreaterGood.org and a grant for space and equipment from the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation.
All of this is great news for the people of our state, now more than ever:
This local distribution of pet food is part of a multi-million dollar nationwide donation effort that GreaterGood.org is executing to help the pet communities across the U.S. impacted most by the coronavirus outbreak. “The COVID-19 pandemic is creating an unprecedented animal sheltering crisis, while also affecting pet parents,” said Liz Baker, CEO for GreaterGood.org. “It is our duty to step in and offer assistance on a national level by creating a network of relief distribution centers with our local animal shelter partners while also supporting them.”
Be assured that social distancing protocols and limited-contact distribution are already in place. You can feel safe knowing that your health is as important as that of your pets.
Individuals can enroll to receive pet food through the program at www.HeartsAliveVillage.org. An appointment will be scheduled and “drive thru” distribution will protect staff, volunteers, and recipients. The website will also include information for those individuals and businesses that would like to support the program with a food or monetary donation.
So if you, friends, family members, or neighbors can benefit from this effort to keep pets with their loved ones, be sure to reach out to Hearts Alive Village and make arrangements. The Vegas community is truly resilient, and this is another wonderful example of how we pull together in times of crisis.
For more information, to make a donation, adopt a pet, or volunteer, please call 702-595-0644, visit HeartsAliveVillage.org. Follow on Instagram at @heartsaliveanimalrescue and Facebook at Hearts Alive Village Las Vegas.
Photos courtesy of Hearts Alive Village
VEGAS UNFILTERED BLOG by Sam Novak 