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Food Bank, SPCA Team To Aid Pets

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 16, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - The Volunteer Way's charter says it can redistribute food only for people to eat.

So what's a food bank to do when kind-hearted souls donate grub for dogs and cats?

Take care of the neighbors, of course.

A few doors down Congress Street from The volunteer Way is SPCA Suncoast, which has been caring for stray animals and unwanted pets for decades.

The two charities are teaming to make sure the "animeals" reach those who need them most.

"It only makes sense that the people who are having a hard time buying food for their families are also going to need help getting food for their pets, too," local SPCA director Martha Murray said in a news release. "This is a great way for us to work together to help both humans and animals all at once: It's a win-win situation."

Families who receive food at The Volunteer Way will receive a pet food voucher to take to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Now that the SPCA is taking in donated critter cuisine from The Volunteer Way, animal shelter operators can have the food bank deliver it along the "brown bag" routes to homebound seniors and low-income families with pets.

The SPCA also will participate in The Volunteer Way's annual Thanksgiving feast for disadvantaged diners.

Murray will help serve hot meals and pass out take-home bags for felines and canines. The meal is at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Assembly of God Church, 6310 Trouble Creek Road.

For information on the "Animeals" Program, call Murray at (727) 849-1048, e-mail to info@SPCAsuncoast.org, visit www.SPCAsun coast.org or drop by the shelter between noon and 6 p.m. daily.

To find out how to qualify for assistance from The Volunteer Way, to make a donation or to offer other help, call (727) 815-0433, send an e-mail to martha@thevolunteerway.org or visit 7820 Congress St. To find out more about the agency, visit www.thevolunteerway.org.

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