Recently I sat down with Nadine Molloy, founder of No Bowl Empty Pet Food Pantry, to learn more about this 501(c)(3) nonprofit, whose mission it is to help families experiencing financial difficulties feed their pets. [Updated 2018]
LWAG: What inspired No Bowl Empty Pet Food Pantry?
Nadine: Such a great question and I am sure I have friends who will claim it was a moment of insanity. To make a long story somewhat short, I had been running my own animal rescue, Whiskers Animal Rescue – Maine, for several years where I would take animals from high kill shelters in the South, transport them North, nurse them, and find them forever homes. Like most other rescues and shelters I also took owner surrendered animals.
In the last year my rescue was operating I noticed a huge increase in the number of animals being surrendered. In talking with people I was finding that many of them were surrendering their much loved pet because they were experiencing financial difficulties and could not afford to feed them. Many elderly were faced with choosing between their prescription medications and food for their pet. Surrendering a beloved pet is very hard on both the humans and the pets. Many pets, especially cats over age 5, do not do well physically or emotionally when surrendered. They do not understand, they get depressed, stop eating and drinking, get sick or die as a result of a broken heart. I knew there had to be a way I could do something to keep pets and families together.
In May of 2015, I closed my rescue, cleared out my garage, set up shelving units, raided my savings account, and stocked the shelves with dog food, cat food, and cat litter. Once it was all set up I started the No Bowl Empty Pet Food Pantry Facebook page, made homemade business cards, put signs on my car and started promoting No Bowl Empty to anyone and everyone.
LWAG: Who may receive help?
Nadine: When I first started No Bowl Empty I put a lot of thought in to who would be able to come to us for help. A few years ago I hit some hard times financially and had many days when I could not afford to eat. I had to swallow my pride and go to the local food bank where I was told that I made $200 a month too much. So I was turned away empty handed. I knew I did not want to do that to anyone. I understand that for most people it is hard to ask for help. With all that in mind, I am proud that No Bowl Empty is a true judgement free zone. Anyone who tells us they need help, gets help. The only requirement is that they must live in Cumberland, York or Androscoggin Counties.
On their first visit to us, we set up a client file with name, address, telephone number, number of pets, type and size of pets. They are assigned a client number and issued a client card. The client card entitles them to come to No Bowl Empty once a month for 6 months. At the end of six months we ask them to take a 3 month break. If at the end of the 3 months they are still in need, they can come back for another six months. All we ask is that once a client is back on their feet they make a donation to No Bowl Empty of either pet food or money so that we can continue to help as many as people as possible.
LWAG: Approximately how many dogs and cats do you help each month?
Nadine: As of Monday, April 11, 2016, we are helping to feed 296 dogs and cats each month. The more events I do, the harder I work to raise awareness of and donations for No Bowl Empty, the greater demand for help.
LWAG: I understand you also help the homeless with their pets?
Nadine: Pets are not just pets, they are family members, companions and emotional support. Each week No Bowl Empty brings gallon sized freezer bags of dog food, cat food, treats and flea/tick preventatives to local soup kitchens and resource centers to be distributed to homeless people with pets. In the winter, we bring pet coats, pet boots and blankets too. Starting next month we will also be providing heartworm preventative. We are the only resource the homeless have for help with their pets, especially for expensive flea/tick preventative and heartworm preventative.
LWAG: How can someone donate to No Bowl Empty Pet Food Pantry?
Nadine: The food pantry is currently run out of my garage, I have dedicated half of my garage to the food pantry but we will be moving inside the house to a room I have built this summer. This keeps our overhead and administrative costs at a bare minimum. I do not take any compensation of any kind. 100% of our donations are used for supplies to keep the pantry running.
There are many ways people can donate. Donations of items for the pet food pantry can be dropped off at our location at 238 Old Alfred Road, East Waterboro, Maine [Updated address 2018 please contact before delivery as hours may have changed]. We are open Mondays & Fridays 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturdays & Sundays 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. All other days we are available by appointment. We have an Amazon Wish List for folks who would rather shop online and have donations delivered directly to us. Cash donations can be made via PayPal to nobowlempty@outlook.com. Checks can be mailed to No Bowl Empty, 238 Old Alfred Road, East Waterboro, ME 04030 [updated 2018]. We love gift cards to PetSmart, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Amazon too.
We always need dry dog and cat food, cat litter (clumping and pine), dog and cat treats, dog and cat toys, collars and leashes in all sizes. Right now, we are down to just a few small bags of cat food and two bags of pine pellets. We have a decent inventory of dry dog food right now but it will not last more than a few weeks.
LWAG: May 2016 marks the one year anniversary of No Bowl Empty. Do you have a special fundraising goal?
Nadine: We have a fundraising goal of $2,500 by the end of May 2016. It is a huge goal but if we are going to continue to keep our commitment to the community to help those going through hard times to feed and care for their pets and our commitment to helping the homeless with their pets, this is the bare minimum we will need to get through the summer. However, if you break it down it is doable: $6 will get 40 lbs of pine pellets, $10 will get 40 lbs of clumping litter, $13 will get 25 lbs of cat food, $25 will get 50 lbs of dog food. Flea/tick preventative and heartworm preventative cost us $60 for 6 doses.
In addition to the donation options previously mentioned, there are other ways that people can help us reach our May fundraising goal. From April 19 through April 29, 2016, we are having a Paw Print Watch Fundraiser. The watches come in a variety of colors and cost $25 each, with proceeds benefiting No Bowl Empty. For ordering details, and to see photos of the watches please visit the No Bowl Empty Facebook page. No Bowl Empty Pet Food Pantry also has set up a YouCaring Campaign for online donations. Another way you can support No Bowl Empty is by purchasing a logo tote bag at Gorham Growl. Not only will a portion of the sales be donated to No Bowl Empty, but if you bring in your bag to shop, they are offering monthly specials with a percentage off your entire purchase. The bags are $5.00 + tax.
Alone reaching our goal is a monumental task. But together we can do this!
LWAG: In addition to Gorham Growl, what other dog friendly businesses support No Bowls Empty?
Nadine: Of course I cannot forget the businesses who have donated to us in the past and continue to support us with food donations and pet food drives: The Animal House – Westbrook, Paws Applause – Scarborough, Mardens – Scarborough, Morong – Falmouth, Growlin’ Gourmet – Portland, Big Lots – Portland, Gondek Photography – Lewiston, Animal Refuge League – Westbrook, Camp Bow Wow – Portland and The Gorham Growl. Each one of these businesses have donated pet food or money to us, held pet food drives for No Bowl Empty or donated their services to one of our fundraisers. Each and every one of them made a commitment to help the animals and to be the voice for the voiceless at a cost to their business. Their support means so much to us and they are true treasures. You don’t get any more dog friendly than that.
LWAG: Thank you Nadine for helping to keep pets and families together by easing the burden during tough times with No Bowl Empty Pet Food Pantry!
If you would like to learn more about No Bowl Empty Pet Food Pantry, please visit their Facebook page. To contact Founder/President Nadine Molloy, call 207-233-2793 or email her at nobowlempty@outlook.com.
