Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry Marks 5th Anniversary Helping People & Pets In Need

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry is celebrating it's fifth anniversary.

The pantry is located in rented space at the Ridgeview Congregational Church in White Plains.  Since its beginning in January 2010, it has distributed more than 187,000 pounds of free pet food to needy families in the area.

1010 WINS' Susan Richard paid a visit to the Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry.  Check it out in the latest episode of her web show, All For Animals TV:

"We're like a food bank for animals", Founder & President Susan Katz told 1010 WINS, "So people who are having a hard time financially can apply to us and when accepted, can pick up free pet food on a monthly basis."

The pantry presently serves roughly 300 families throughout Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and Dutchess Counties.  That translates to more than 780 animals monthly.  Clients include senior citizens, the disabled, veterans, those on fixed low income and those who are struggling because they've lost their jobs.

Katz told 1010 WINS, many of these people can hardly feed themselves let alone their pets, and the pantry has likely prevented hundreds of these animals from being surrendered to shelters or resue groups.

The Hudson Valley Pet Food Pantry is supported through financial and food donations and will mark its 5th Anniversary with a fundraising party on Wednesday, October 26, 2015 at the CV Rich Mansion (formerly The Women's Club) in White Plains.  Tickets are $45 each and include food provided by Caperberry Events, wine and soft drinks.  There will also be a silent auction and raffle.  Proceeds will benefit the pantry's "Help Feed Our Pets" program which enables them to keep an adequate supply of pet food on hand.

For tickets or more information, e-mail at hvpetfoodpantry@aol.com or call 914-907-3433.  The pantry's website is www.hvpetfoodpantry.org.

All For Animals is a production of Susan Richard/New Day Media and appears on CBSNewYork.com as a courtesy. For inquiries, visit AllForAnimalsTV.com.