Salem Partnership Gives Free Pet Food For Families In Need

SALEM, MA — Extending a helping hand to Salem residents in need includes the family pets.

A partnership between The Salem Pantry and Northeast Animal Shelter provides free pet food to families in need at weekly mobile markets.

The Northeast Animal Shelter donates about 450 pounds of pet food per week to be distributed to sites across Salem through the Pantry's Mobile Market program, which serves an average of 1,300 homes per month.

"We are grateful for this collaboration with Northeast Animal Shelter, which provides needed pet food and supplies throughout our community," said Robyn Burns, The Salem Pantry's Executive Director. "For families managing a tight budget, this program provides financial relief and makes an impact to support our local pets' health and wellness."

The goal of the program is to provide additional support for families as prices rise in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Northeast Animal Shelter is proud to partner with community organizations like The Salem Pantry, who also recognize the importance of the human-animal bond," Northeast Animal Shelter Community Outreach Manager Amy Simione-Garbarino. "Through this collaboration, we're able to further our mission to keep pets in homes with the people who love them by providing some support and resources to pet owners in need."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)