Tacoma Pet Food Bank: Facing Challenges and Seeking Solutions

The Tacoma pet food bank is currently grappling with a significant issue as demand surges, leaving its shelves bare. Puget Sound Pet Food Bank took to Facebook on Sunday to announce that its Tacoma location will be temporarily closed, with the last day being December 28. The nonprofit revealed that it lacks the financial resources to meet the growing number of families in need. As stated, "While we continue to receive in-kind and monetary donations (THANK YOU!!), they are no longer sufficient to feed all the pet families requesting help and cover our operating costs. We now have to buy food every one to two weeks, which is not sustainable."

Other Animal News and Implications

In Spokane County, deer and horses have fallen victim to separate diseases, highlighting the broader challenges faced by the animal kingdom. This serves as a reminder of the importance of pet food banks and the need for continued support.

Scaling Back Operations vs. Permanent Closure

It's crucial to note that the Tacoma food bank is not closing forever. Instead, it is scaling back its operations to manage the current situation. Puget Sound Food Bank is actively seeking a new location and exploring other options to ensure its continued service. This shows their determination to overcome the current difficulties and serve the pet families in need.

Meanwhile, the nonprofit has opened its Spanaway location at 21006 Mountain Highway East on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. This is a significant step to accommodate the impacted Tacoma families. Currently, it is only open on the third Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will not be able to offer service on Mondays. This provides some relief but also highlights the need for more sustainable solutions.

The Facebook user's question about how people can help led to a clear response. In-kind and monetary donations are greatly appreciated. To make an online monetary donation, one can head to a specific link. Additionally, an Amazon wishlist has been set up for donations. These efforts demonstrate the importance of community support in addressing the food insecurity issue for pets.

Belief and Mission of Puget Sound Food Bank

Puget Sound Food Bank firmly believes in its motto: "No pet should go hungry." Its website adds, "We strive to be a warm and welcoming place where everyone feels free to come for help and be greeted with love, respect, and genuine interest in their pets." This mission drives their work and efforts to support pets throughout Puget Sound by fighting food insecurity.

To learn more about the nonprofit and its work, one can visit Puget Sound Food Bank's website. For any additional questions, one can call Kari Powell at (253) 250-5078. The team at MyNorthwest is committed to providing accurate and relevant information about this important issue.