NON-PROFIT SPOTLIGHT NON-PROFIT
FURRBABY FOOD PANTRY
Unleashing Hope for Pet Owners in Need IMAGE COURTESY OF KORRI BINDL
by Charlotte Kovalchuk
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monly requested item. We want to help lower the number of owner surrenders at the local shelters that are due to financial hardships.”
hile volunteering at the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, Korri Bindl noticed many donations could not be accepted and were thrown away, like opened bags of pet food and beds too large for staff to wash. “I had an open bag of food and thought, ‘Surely someone needs this,’ and posted it on the Georgetown Facebook page. It was just a small bag of food, but the number of messages I received... there was a need.” Korri then created a Facebook page to post unused shelter donations and other items from the community. “My whole driveway and front yard would be filled with donations. The city didn’t like that at all so I had to shut it down.”
In December, Furrbaby Food Pantry of Georgetown moved to a space at 1603 Northwest Boulevard, which they share with John Pack Custom Pools. In its new space, the pantry can better serve pet owners in need, Korri says. “Pet food has become quite expensive and is the pantry's most com-
The pantry is open to the public and provides free cat and dog food, bowls, toys, leashes, collars, harnesses, cat litter, and a self-service dog wash station. Visitors are welcome by appointment or during pantry open hours. For information about hours of operation, follow the pantry Facebook page. For those wanting to help, donations are always welcome, but the most pressing need is for additional volunteers who can help with anything from organizing inventory to assisting pantry visitors.
GRAND OPENING On December 30, local animal lovers gathered to celebrate Furrbaby Food Pantry’s grand opening and first official fundraiser, which garnered over $5,400 and 1,825 pounds of food, as well as a multitude of pet supplies. Various pet vendors helped make the event a success, including Texas Rescue Network, Foster 2 Forever, and senior dog rescue Living Grace Canine Ranch. “The pet donations we received and the number of guests who showed up to give their love and support was beyond our wildest dreams,” Korri says. Hound Rescue volunteer Kim Lewis is just as passionate about Furrbaby Food Pantry and expressed her admiration 46
F E B R UA R Y 2024
for its mission. “There are times when people want to surrender a dog to us because of a financial crisis. This organization will help people keep their pets.” Korri hopes to eventually expand the pantry’s services, not just locally but to other communities in need. “We are constantly reaching for the stars and would love to eventually help families who can’t afford emergency medical services for their pets and even help with spay, neutering, and annual shots. The Furrbaby Food Pantry has no limits when it comes to helping pets in need and keeping their bellies full.”
