The Need
The Pet Food Pantry Project is a collaborative partnership with the Gulf Coast Humane Society (GCHS) to alleviate food insecurity for pets; a major reason for owner-surrendered pets. During COVID, GCHS opened a pet food pantry and joined food pantries to distribute pet food to the community. During COVID, GCHS distributed more than 50,000 pounds of pet food. As the COVID pandemic subsided, the need for the GCHS Pet Food Pantry continued to increase due to the housing market, inflation, Hurricane Ian, job insecurity, and more. Currently, the GCHS Pet Food Pantry distributes on average 30,000 pounds of pet food per year. The decrease is due to dwindling and inconsistent donations from the community. It is not the need.
With consistent and sustainable donations, GCHS will be able to distribute pet food and supplies to the community in its current capacity as well as implement a distribution system to underserved communities in Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties.
A Project Overview
The Pet Food Project has four (4) pillars to sustain consistent donations to the GCHS Pet Food Pantry: 1] Retail Establishments, 2] Area Businesses, and 3] Fundraising 4) Grants.
Each of these pillars will have a phased development and implementation along with benefits for the participants and the Rotary Club. We would like to build a sustainable donation program that can be duplicated by other Rotary Clubs throughout the District.
Goals (June 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025)
- Create a sustainable project model.
- Involve all members of the Fort Myers East Rotary Club in the project.
- Gain 3 to 5 new Rotary Club members through this project.
- Donate up to 50,000+ pounds of additional pet food to the Gulf Coast Humane Society Food Pantry per year.
Committee
- Olivia Lloyd: Project Leader
- Lori Burke
- Ron Davis
- Sue Zellars
- Ron Mattox
Pillars
Pillar 1 - Retail Establishments (First Priority – Start Date: June 2024)
Pet Food Pantry committee members and volunteers contact area retailers (any retailer that sells pet food) and ask them to put a donation box and sign that we will supply in their retail location(s). Periodically, we will pick up the donations. Each collection location will last 30 days. A Google calendar for pickups will be employed. If a volunteer or Rotary Club member cannot pick up the donation, the GCHS staff/volunteers can pick up. Each pickup will be weighed and recorded for location analysis and recognition of the retailer.
To launch the Pet Food Project at each retail location, the Rotary Club and GCHS will staff a table at the retailer to explain the program and hand out recognition items to donors. The retailer should benefit from this program via increased sales of pet food during the promotion.
Retail Establishment Benefits:
- Social Media (FMERC and GCHS) FB/IG/IN
- Welcome/Announcement Post
- Pick Up and Results Post
- Certificate of Appreciation Presentation
- Discounts on tickets for upcoming GCHS events
- VIP GCHS Tour
Marketing Collateral:
Volunteers will be given everything they need to approach retailers to secure donation sites; including but not limited to flyers, outline of commitment, contact information, and donation sign and box.
Pillar 2 - Area Businesses (Second Priority – Start Date: July 2024)
Pet Food Pantry committee members and volunteers contact area businesses and ask them to put a donation box and sign that we will supply in their business location(s). All locations need to be approved by the committee and scheduled so we do not overwhelm our resources. This category varies from Pillar 1 in that these locations do not sell pet food, but have a large amount of foot traffic, employees, or pet friendly patrons. Examples might be factories, large office buildings, and schools. Periodically, we will pick up the donations. The display period will be determined by the business and volunteers. A Google calendar for pickups will be employed. If a volunteer or Rotary Club member cannot pick up the donation, the GCHS staff/volunteers can pick up.
Business Establishment Benefits:
- Social Media (FMERC and GCHS) FB/IG/IN
- Welcome/Announcement Post
- Pick Up and Results Post
- Certificate of Appreciation Presentation
- Employee and client team/relationship building.
- Discounts on tickets for upcoming GCHS events
- VIP GCHS Tour
Marketing Collateral:
Volunteers will be given everything they need to approach retailers to secure donation sites; including but not limited to flyers, outline of commitment, contact information, and donation sign and box.
Pillar 3 – Fundraising (Start Date: June 2024)
In June 2024, an inaugural Golf Scramble organized by Rotary Clubs of Fort Myers East and Babcock Ranch is scheduled for June 15th. The proceeds from this event will be donated to the Pet Food Pantry Project.
A specialty area that needs additional research is offering this program to Elementary and Middle School students. The program could be run outside of the school building, and collection could be done on preset dates at student drop off and pickup times. This concept has been tabled for now, as Lee County Schools policy as of May 2023 does not allow students to be involved in fund raisers that do not specifically benefit the school.
Pillar 4 – Grants (Start Date: June 2024)
In April 2024, a matching grant was submitted Rotary District 6960 to help fund the Pet Food Pantry Project. The Fort Myers East Rotary Club has committed up to $5000.00 in matching funds.
Please help us maintain the Free Community Pet Food Pantry.
Donations can be made online by clicking DONATE NOW below
