Rescue Pack distributing 100K lbs. of pet food to help families keep pets during holidays
Rescue Pack, a West Chicago-based Midwest pet food bank serving the Lake Michigan states, has launched “Whole for the Holidays,” its 2026 holiday pet food distribution initiative supporting families facing financial hardship.
Through 11 partner pantries and rescues in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, Rescue Pack is distributing 100,000 lbs. — 450,000 bowls — of pet food through the end of the year — to help families keep their pets fed and at home this season.
The need for support continues to grow. U.S. household food insecurity reached 13.7% in 2024, a 10-year high, and an estimated 30 million pets live in homes experiencing food insecurity. Among pet parents facing food insecurity, 13% have considered rehoming their pet.
“A layoff, a medical bill or a weather emergency is often all it takes to push a family to the edge of giving up a pet,” said Kathy Wiesner, Rescue Pack founder and executive director. “Whole for the Holidays is about making sure families don’t have to choose between feeding their families and feeding the animals they love — and that pets stay where they belong.”
Working upstream of the shelter system, Rescue Pack recovers donated surplus pet food and supplies from corporate partners, then moves, sorts and tracks every item through its 250,000-square-foot West Chicago warehouse before delivering it to the rescues, shelters and pet food pantries that serve families directly. Every surrender prevented is one less animal in an already overcrowded shelter and foster network.
Participating pantries
Pantry dates and times vary. Residents are encouraged to visit organization websites or social pages for more details. Updated information will be posted on Rescue Pack social channels as available.
ILLINOIS
• Bruno’s Pro Bono Pet Pantry in Geneva: brunospantry.com or facebook.com/BrunosPantry
• CARE for PETS in Rockford: wecareforpets.org or Facebook
• Huckleberry’s Snack Shack in Bradley: Facebook
• Kibble Korner Pet Food Pantry in Rockford: kibblekorner.com or facebook.com/kibblekorner
• MCP Rescue — MASH Chicago: mcprescue.org/mash/ or facebook.com/MCPRescue
• My Three Pups Pet Food Pantry in Capron: becausetheyalldeservetolive.godaddysites.com or Facebook
• Pet Central Helps! in Normal: petcentralhelps.org or facebook.com/petcentralhelps
• Rescueber in Oak Park: rescueber.org or facebook.com/rescueber
INDIANA
• Cause 4 Paws in Gary: cause4pawsgary.org or facebook.com/garypups
WISCONSIN
• Community Paws of Wisconsin Inc. in Green Bay: facebook.com/CommunityPawsWI
• Roxz’s Resources & Awareness, Inc.: roxzsresourcesawareness.com or facebook.com/resourcesandawareness
“For 10 years, we’ve been the link between corporate surplus and the pets and families who need it,” Wiesner said. “When rescues don’t have to buy food, they can put those dollars toward medical care and adoptions. And when families can get help close to home, more pets stay with the people who love them.”
Every $1 donated helps provide 10 meals. If you’d like to help keep even more bowls full this holiday season, make a one-time or recurring gift at rescuepack.org.
Established in 2016, Rescue Pack is a West Chicago, Illinois-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps fight pet food insecurity across the Lake Michigan states — Illinois, Indiana, Southwest Michigan and Wisconsin. Rescue Pack recovers donated surplus pet food, supplies and household essentials and distributes them to animal rescues, shelters and families facing hardship, reducing waste and helping prevent avoidable pet surrenders. Over the last 10 years, Rescue Pack has provided more than 51.4 million pet meals, redirected more than 17.1 million lbs. of food and supplies, and supported over 260 animal rescues and shelters.
Today industry leaders such as Amazon, Blue Buffalo, Chewy.com, MARS Petcare, PetSmart, Purina, Stella & Chewy’s and Walmart help support this important work. Visit rescuepack.org to learn more.