CHARLOTTE – Passionate Paws is hosting a Howl-iday Photo Op and Food Drive on December 3 with Common Heart Food Pantry at our Weddington location. Have your pet’s picture taken with The Grinch and Cindy Lou!  Come dressed up! The cost of admission is to simply donate nonperishables for humans, dog and cat food, cat litter, space heaters, and blankets/bedding.   

Having worked with Common Heart over the years, we thought to speak with Kara Lopp, Community Engagement Manager for Common Heart, to share more about their amazing organization and some of the challenges they face today.

With inflation everyone is facing right now, how has that affected you and your efforts? Over the last several months we’ve seen the number of families seeking help with groceries rise consistently at all our evening and mobile food pantries. For example, our Monday evening food pantry at Benton Heights Presbyterian Church in Monroe is now serving 80+ families each week compared to an average of 30-35 families. For our traditional pantries, families get about a week’s worth of groceries and can come once/month. That really speaks to the need. Many of these families tell us this is the first time they’ve ever had to seek resources to help put food on their tables. 

Where are you seeing the most need right now? With some food shortages nationwide, food pantries are having a difficult time purchasing nonperishables in bulk. The biggest need is for folks to host food drives to collect these items to help fill the gap — which is why this food drive is so important and we’re so thankful!

To learn more about the event check our Facebook @passionatepawsah.

Passionate Paws Animal Hospital is a proud member of the Union County Chamber of Commerce.