Group helps pantries stock food for animals

The little girl's puppy-dog eyes helped, but it didn't take much more to convince pet store patrons that providing for animals can help their owners, too.

"I just asked people -- I made quite the face," says Maggie Andreasen, a persuasive 9-year-old member of Kids For Kritters, a Libertyville-based group that has embarked on a unique mission.

The 800 pounds of pet food collected last weekend at Pets Supplies Plus in Mundelein is now on the shelves at the Libertyville Township Food Pantry and going fast.

Providing food for people remains the chief concern, but pantry operators agree on the merit of making pet food available as well. The cost of feeding a pet can be another straw on the sagging backs of those in need. And in tough times, the family dog or cat may be one of few comforts.

"We would never have started something like this," said Linda Blatnik, the township's social worker and food pantry coordinator. "We were like, 'Well sure, let's give it a try.' "

Big bags of dog food, for example, can run from $20 to $60, depending on size and quality.

"This is a help to them, especially if they're in a crisis situation," Blatnik added. "We did it on a trial basis, and the response was really good."

Kids For Kritters is an offshoot of Our House of Hope K-9 Rescue, a nonprofit organization founded less than a year ago by Libertyville resident Lisa Krinninger.

Helping dogs in sometimes dire circumstances find good homes has been her passion.

In her travels, she learned of a family forced from their home because of economic circumstances. The family was accepted at a local shelter, but their 10-year-old dog was not. To keep the dog, the family began living in a storage unit. They eventually were caught and the dog was taken by animal control.

"The only thing they had to hang onto was the dog," Krinninger said. "It got me to thinking, 'What if there is a family out there struggling right now? How can we help them?'"

Her organization is small and does not operate a shelter. Most business is conducted by cell phone and laptop from Krinninger's car. Still, the effort has been aggressive and expanded to include a kids component --her four children, their friends and some neighbors.

The idea of putting pet food in food pantries surfaced during a dinner conversation. "Old Mother Hubbard's Cupboard" became the most recent "pet" project.

"It's important for the kids to see not everybody is as fortunate as we are," Krinninger said. "It just evolved."

The idea is not unheard of, although Krinninger may have taken it to a new level.

Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry in Naperville, for example, has had pet food available the past few years. It's donated by the Naperville Area Humane Society.

"There's a tremendous need. People hate to give up their companion animals for a lack of being able to feed them. It does go quickly," said Jody Bender, community relations coordinator.

"We've seen a difference, especially new clients (who) light up when they know they can also get pet food."

The Northern Illinois Food Bank, based in St. Charles, provides food to about 520 agencies in 13 counties.

"We don't have a direct pet food solicitation set up, but that doesn't mean we wouldn't accept it," said Samantha Haggerty, communications manager.

"I think it's perfect -- any help people can get," she said of Krinninger's effort.

Krinninger says the pet food drives will become a monthly event, and she hopes to expand the reach for struggling families.

"If we can provide some help on this end, maybe we can free up some money on the other end."