Pet food bank moves to HES

Betty Crawford, founder of 4 Paws Pantry, stands with Humane Educational Society Director Bob Citrullo at HES, where the pantry recently relocated.
Betty Crawford, founder of 4 Paws Pantry, stands with Humane Educational Society Director Bob Citrullo at HES, where the pantry recently relocated.
photo Betty Crawford, founder of 4 Paws Pantry, stands with Humane Educational Society Director Bob Citrullo at HES, where the pantry recently relocated.

After three years in Red Bank, 4 Paws Pantry is partnering with - as well as sharing a building with - Chattanooga's Humane Educational Society downtown. 4 Paws provides free pet food to Hamilton Country residents in need who would otherwise be forced to give up their animals.

Founder Betty Crawford said the reason for the move was partly a matter of economics.

"I wanted to continue with the food bank but I couldn't afford to keep paying the bills," she said, adding that the nonprofit pet pantry would need to raise $10,000 a year just to cover rent and utilities for its former space in Red Bank.

So HES Director Bob Citrullo invited Crawford to move the pantry to HES, allowing the small nonprofit pantry to now put all the money it raises toward helping animals in Hamilton County, a cause it shares with HES.

Citrullo said he was all too aware of the need for the pantry, which exists throughout the county. He often referred people to Crawford who came to HES to ask for assistance with food, and he would drop off bags of food at the pantry that had been donated to HES.

"It we did lose it, those animals would end up in the shelter," he added. "It was a no-brainer. It's a program we need to have here. Collaboration is the only way to do this."

Crawford said the pantry's new location at HES also has the benefit of more visibility for the organization.

She envisions the project growing to include a spay and neuter program, as she often works with people who are feeding a stray dog they picked up or that wandered into their yard and they cannot afford the cost to spay or neuter the animal, she said. The goal is now to raise money for food for the pantry, as well as to expand its services to include spay and neuter.

The organization's next fundraiser is the inaugural For Paws Spelling Bee, to be held at Barking Legs Theater March 24 at 6:30 p.m.

"It'll be a fun evening, and everything you donate goes directly to food for animals and the spay and neuter program," said Crawford.

The cost to participate is $50 per person or $200 per team, and the deadline to register is Friday, March 11. Participants will be given the list of words beforehand, and teams can also win points for dressing up as their favorite pet.

The event will also feature a cash bar, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction.

For more information or to register, email 4pawspantrytn1@gmail.com or call 475-6342.

Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.

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