We tend to lose sight, sometimes, of how fortunate we are to have the community involvement that we do. Everything we have is donated...everything we do is volunteer effort. The food we give out is donated from generous individuals, grocery stores, pet stores, various area vets and shelters. The space to store the food is donated by Dooryard Farm, the barrels that we store the food in are donated by Marine Colloids, the bags that we pack the food in for distribution are donated by Fresh Off the Farm, the twist ties to seal the bags come from Midcoast Solid Waste, the bag clips from Hannaford, and our distribution site—our home—is P.A.W.S.

And, of course, nothing would get done without the great volunteers who show up month after month to help bag food and schlep it to cars.

Thanks, guys. I mean it.

Andrew East is the founder of Penobscot Pet Pantry