The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank

Food banks ease the hunger of those in need. The people of Portland, and of Oregon, understand this and actively support and utilize the food banks in their communities. Portlanders also love their pets, both their own and the pets of others. It is this convergence of need and affection that is the root of Portland’s first food bank for pets.

Since 2007, The Pongo Fund has provided more than 100,000 quality meals to animals living in Portland’s homeless, transitional, and underprivileged communities.

But the hungry pets of the homeless are being joined more and more by the hungry pets of people who simply are having trouble making ends meet…middle-class folks pummeled by the economy, white-collar workers recently laid off; even seniors and students are not immune. And when families must choose what to cut from their grocery lists, pets often are among those that suffer most.

For families that can’t afford to feed their pets, the consequences are greater than just an empty stomach. Many pets will be surrendered to already overburdened shelters, many more will be abandoned. Finding new homes for these pets are never guaranteed. Families will be torn apart, simply because there’s not enough money to buy pet food.

The pain touches every single family, regardless of where they call home. And during these challenging times, that could be any one of us. The Pongo Fund wants to help protect these animals from being abandoned or surrendered when their families cannot afford to feed them. That’s why The Pongo Fund created The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank; Portland’s first dedicated pet food charitable resource. It’s a genuine gift for the entire community…lending a hand when times are tough by providing quality dog and cat food for the companion pets of anyone in need.

Because sometimes, a simple bowl of kibble is the force that keeps a family together and saves the lives of the animals they love.