BELFAST — The Belfast Rotary Club donated $2,800 to the Waldo County Pet Food Pantry, a local nonprofit organization created in 2013 by the Belfast VFW Post 3108 Auxiliary. The funds, raised through this year’s Belfast Harbor Fest Evening by the Bay online auction, will be used to support the Food Pantry’s spaying programs serving “vets and pets.”

“We are very pleased to help this valuable community resource,” said Sue Beemer, Belfast Rotary’s online auction committee chairperson, in a news release. “This was the Club’s first online auction, and its success was due to the work of dozens of volunteers and auction item donors. We were especially pleased that Belfast artist Joanne Parent donated her original oil painting ‘Light at the End of the Day’ to the auction, and allowed the image to be Harbor Fest’s graphic logo.”

Accepting the donation was Heidi Blood, founder of the Waldo County Pet Food Pantry. “This gift means a lot to us,” she said. “The Pantry helps more than 500 cherished pets and the owners who care for them, provides people with pet food and supplies, rabies clinics, flea and tick control, and low-cost or free spay and neuter programs. It also provides grain, hay and supplies through its Veteran Farmers Assistance Program. We even deliver!”

The Pet Food Pantry is open at 12:30 p.m. on the third Saturday of every month year-round at VFW Post 3108, 34 Field Street in Belfast. For more information, email hjb04915@yahoo.com.

Belfast Rotary Club, founded in 1925, is one of Maine’s largest and most active clubs. Its members meet in person or by Zoom Wednesdays at noon. The Club raises funds year-round through activities such as the Belfast Harbor Fest, annual charitable golf tournament event, 5K road races and pancake breakfasts. Its nearly $135,000 in yearly gifts include support for seven food pantries, $80,000 in scholarships for local college-bound high school students and year-end holiday clothing and toys for 150 children. For more information on membership or to make a tax-deductible donation in support of the Club’s year-round service programs, go to belfastrotary.org.