Helen Woodward Animal Center AniMeals Relief Celebrates its One-Year Anniversary with a Drive-Through Springtime Experience for Families-in-Need…
Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Mar. 24, 2021) – Spring is here and, for many, that means rebirth, warmth and abundance. At Helen Woodward Animal Center it means the one-year anniversary of the kickoff to AniMeals Relief – a program that in partnership with Feeding San Diego has provided the gift of nutrition to those affected by job loss during the pandemic. To celebrate the incredible work done by Center staff and volunteers and the giving individuals who have made this program possible, Helen Woodward Animal Center is honored to host a special event for those most affected by the pandemic, combining two Center programs for one special day of giving and joy. A massive Drive-Through AniMeals Relief Spring Celebration is planned for 70 families next Wednesday, Mar. 31 at 10 a.m., featuring pet and people food distributions, gifts for kids, the Easter Bunny, in-vehicle animal meet-and-greets, and more
Exactly one year ago, COVID-19 suddenly shut down workplaces leaving loving pet owners throughout San Diego County unemployed and unable to provide basic nutrition for their four-legged companions. Immediately, Helen Woodward Animal Center activated an extension of its AniMeals program. The program, which typically provides food to the pets of homebound seniors, military veterans and those experiencing homelessness, wanted to ensure beloved dogs and cats were able to stay with their families facing economic burden caused by the pandemic. The new emergency assistance was dubbed AniMeals Relief and provided pet food, specified to each furry member of the family, in a weekly drive through distribution. The visits were heartwarming but concerning too, as regular visitors described the devastating loss of income and struggles their families were facing.
Shortly after its launch, in an effort to even more fully help the community, AniMeals Relief formed a partnership with Feeding San Diego to include food for human family members in its distributions as well. Initially scheduled to assist for a few crucial months, the ongoing pandemic necessitated the continuation of the program and this week AniMeals Relief hits its one-year mark. As of today, the program has served more than 280,000 pet meals, as well as over 124,109 pounds of human food.
As equally important to health as sustenance is the gift of mental well-being that comes from comfort, love and laughter. Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Pet Encounter Therapy (PET) program utilizes the incredible benefits of therapy animals to regularly provide these positive components to children in hospitals and foster care, seniors in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities and others in need. Since March 2020, PET visits have continued virtually over Zoom, from behind large residence hall windows, and even through car windows with Critter Drive-Ins.
At next week’s AniMeals Relief Spring Celebration, the PET program is happy to provide these unique animal encounters to attending families in a special drive-in meet-and-greet experience. Families will be invited to stay in their cars for up-close visits by such critters as alpacas, horses, miniature horses, goats, sheep, dogs and even reptiles.
“This program has been incredibly important to us,” explained Helen Woodward Animal Center AniMeals Supervisor Sarah Jilka. “Over the last year, we’ve seen first-hand how much need there is among our community and we’ve gotten to know the wonderful families who have received support from AniMeals Relief. We’re so excited to add something truly special to their weekly distribution with this special celebration.”
Registration is already complete for this special AniMeals Relief Spring Celebration on Mar. 31 and will include 200 individuals from 70 families. Each vehicle will drive through and pick up two weeks supply of pet food and special foods from Feeding San Diego, then continue to the Center’s education pavilion where the Center’s animal ambassadors will greet families outside their vehicles’ windows. The Easter Bunny will then load cars with gifts for all 118 children. Special guests will also include Amazon’s “The Pack” contestants and local surf dog duo Kentucky and Derby.
This springtime drive-through event is made possible thanks to the support of Blue Buffalo, Feeding San Diego, Steve and Sharron MacDonald Family Foundation, Naturally Fresh and Barons Market.
THE MEDIA IS INVITED TO CAPTURE ALL OF THE SPRINGTIME SPIRIT FROM 10 TO 11 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY, MAR. 31 AT HELEN WOODWARD ANIMAL CENTER.