A Close Call on Supplies of Pet Food: Company Agrees to Be Humane Society’s Major Kibbles Donor

By Justin Vick, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

Apr. 2–The Humane Society of Concord and Greater Cabarrus County averted disaster last week after losing its primary source of food donations.

Volunteers thought they would run out of food within two weeks.

American Processing in Salisbury had donated pet food to the nonprofit organization for 12 years. As Food Lion’s area reclamation center, American Processing donated food that no longer had shelf life in grocery aisles.

On average, the company had given the Humane Society two to four pallets of pet food every two weeks, said volunteer Tom Tackett.

But American Processing could no longer help the Humane Society because Food Lion recently contracted with another company to run its reclamation center.

Enter Winston-Salem-based Carolina Logistics Services, Food Lion’s new reclamation center.

Bruce Stoler, manager of the company’s Mocksville facility, said the company would be happy to help the Humane Society once it verifies the organization is a nonprofit..

"(Donating the food) is big for me as the facility manager, because I’m an animal lover myself," Stoler said.

The Humane Society feeds animals in the Cabarrus County Animal Shelter and works with Cabarrus County Animal Control to find homes for stray dogs and cats. Animals not adopted are euthanized.

The society has also provided food to feed the pets of families in need and Hurricane Katrina survivors.

The Humane Society has placed around 6,000 stray animals in homes since it was established in April 1994. It receives support through adoption fees and donations.

In recent years, the Humane Society hasn’t asked for food donations from the public. Instead, it has requested monetary donations, as well as collars, Polaroid 600 film, doghouses for foster-home animal care and office supplies.

The Humane Society will accept food donations from other businesses..

Interested businesses can contact Tackett at (704) 490-8396.

Adoption hours are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays at the Cabarrus County Animal Control facility, 244 General Services Drive, Concord.

The Humane Society’s mailing address is P.O. Box 3104, Concord, NC 28025.

Details: www.dogsaver.org/cabarrushumane .

Food castle weighs nearly 900 pounds

Members of Curves gym in Kannapolis collected more than 900 pounds of people food in March to donate to local food banks and ministries.Rather than let the donations pile up in the middle of the gym, member Patti Safrit got the idea that members should use the items to build a castle with a throne and moat.

Though the castle will have to be dismantled when the food is donated, members are already planning the village they hope to build in future food drives, Safrit said.

The gym is at 613 S. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis.

Details: (704) 938-7777.

Tell Us How Cabarrus Reaches Out

Are you raising money or volunteering for a particular cause? Please let us know. We’ll share your inspiration with our readers. E-mail cabarrus@ charlotteobserver.com; fax to (704) 786-7813; send mail to Cabarrus Neighbors, 371 Concord Parkway N., Concord, NC 28027; or call (704) 786-2185.

Justin Vick: (704) 786-2185

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