BOZEMAN — The Humane Society of Western Montana (HSWM) said in a press release it is delivering 6,000 pounds of pet food to Stafford Animal Shelter in Livingston to help families in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The release said 25,000 pounds of dog and cat food was delivered to Summit Beverage in Butte from GreaterGood last Thursday in response to a grant request from HSWM.
On Monday, volunteers will deliver the 6,000 pounds slated for Stafford.
“We requested the food because so many families in Montana are out of work and in need of help," HSWM Executive Director Marta Pierpoint said in the release. "As you might imagine it is challenging to distribute that much food across the state. We just don’t have the infrastructure to make it work without help.”
That help will be coming from volunteers HSWM has organized to ensure a safe delivery, according to Pierpoint.
“Because of increased COVID-19 cases in the area, to keep our friends at Stafford safe, we agreed it was best to use volunteers to pick up the food and take it to Stafford for a contact free drop off. I literally called personal friends and my son in Bozeman and asked for their help. Being animal lovers they said yes immediately,” she said.
Absaroka Energy CEO Carl Borgquist has also volunteered and will transport a U-Haul truck from Bozeman to Butte to meet Pierpoint and her son at Summit.
“One of my dogs is from HSWM and as soon as I learned help was needed to bring pet food to families out of work, I was in. Pets are a source of comfort which we all need in the pandemic.” Borgquist said.
From Stafford, the food will be distributed to local food banks in Livingston, West Yellowstone, Big Timber, Gardiner, and the Crow and Fort Peck Reservations.
Stafford Executive Director Steve Leach expressed his thanks to HSWM and GreaterGood, and said, "The whole operation is a perfect example of how Montanans work together to get good work done and we are proud to be part of the effort."
For individuals seeking pet food relief, contact your local animal shelter or food bank.