BY CAMI KOONS
When food insecurity strikes, it hits not only individuals and families, but their furry, beaked or scaled companions as well. Mary Kirkendoll, the Americorps Eudora community navigator, has partnered with Lawrence Humane Society to bring pet food to Eudora households in need.
Kirkendoll and several volunteers will host a pet-food drive on Saturday at the Eudora Community Library. All of the food collected will be distributed, as needed, to Eudora pet owners.
It’s not just pets who go hungry when their owners cannot afford food. Elina Alterman, manager of social work at Lawrence Humane Society, said she has seen many cases where owners are choosing to feed their pet over themselves. She attributed much of the need to job insecurity amidst the pandemic.
“We never want people to choose between feeding their pet and feeding themselves,” Alterman said. “Because they’re always going to choose their pet.”
In her position, Kirkendoll tries to find the gaps in resources for Eudorans and she said pet food was brought up by many people as a shortage. Kirkendoll said she learned “national love your pet day” fell on Saturday, and decided now was the time for the pet food drive, which will help assess the need for future pet-related support in Eudora.
“This was just a little test to see what the needs are in Eudora and to build a connection with the Lawrence Humane Society,” Kirkendoll said.
Kirkendoll said depending on feedback from the food drive, she wants to establish a pet food pantry in Eudora, similar to the Trinity Pet Pantry, which partners with Lawrence Humane Society. Alterman said while Lawrence Humane Society is usually associated with Lawrence, it serves Douglas County, and she is excited to be able to have more outreach in Eudora.
“We’re looking to promote to folks in Eudora that if they need pet supplies, we’re here for them,” Alterman said.
All of the food collected Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. will then be sorted into bins, and brought to Lawrence Humane Society, who will handle distribution. Kirkendoll said one group of Eudora and Americorps volunteers will help with collection and another set will help to sort the food at Fusion Share Space between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Fusion Share Space normally operates as a fitness space, but owner Mea Austin said she always tries to lend the space to volunteer organizations when she can.
“I’m a pet lover myself so when they reached out, it was near and dear to my heart,” Austin said.
Likewise, Julia Ireland of Eudora volunteered to help with the drive Saturday because of her passion for pet rescue. Ireland said she’s excited for the possibility of pet support in Eudora and believes there is a need for it in the city.
Ireland said she has worked with some of the programs in Lawrence, but understands that not every Eudora pet owner can drive to Lawrence for support.
“It’s just making food available close to home and having a way to help people keep their pets when they fall on hard times,” Ireland said.
In October, Lawrence Humane Society launched the Crisis Pet Retention Fund, and received $50,000 in the form of a CARES grant from Douglas County, according to Alterman. She said the money, which helped owners with pet food, essential veterinary care and pet-deposit fees, didn’t last long.
Lawrence Humane Society has been fundraising to sustain the program, which Alterman said is still largely needed. In January alone, Lawrence Humane Society distributed just under 900 pounds of pet food.
Ordinarily, the aid available through the Crisis Pet Retention Fund can be obtained at Lawrence Humane Society between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the resource center door. The walk-up option will continue, but Alterman said the partnership with Kirkendoll allows Lawrence Humane Society to “pilot” a delivery option.
The inability to support a loved one is a hard thing to come to terms with. Kirkendoll said the insecurity around pet resources is often misunderstood, making this event especially important.
“Sometimes people shame others for having a pet and not having the resources to keep taking care of it,” Kirkendoll said. “Everyone has the right to have a pet and know the love of a pet.”
Those in need of pet food can reach out to Mary Kirkendell on Facebook. Pet Food donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday outside of the Eudora Community Library, 14 E. Ninth St. Monetary donations can also be made to the Crisis Pet Retention Fund through its webpage.
Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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