To date we’ve provided these families with more than 500,000 meals for their starving pets; helping everyone have the chance for a good dinner.

This past Sunday some 148 families turned to us when they had no where else to turn. And their pets will live to see another day.

We’re a pet food bank, but what we really do is stand up for families in crisis. We wage a battle every day in the fight against hunger. Since people consistently give up their own food to feed their pets, we focus our help at the most fundamental level.

Quite simply, we give a chance to animals that otherwise wouldn’t have a chance, and give hope to families frequently without hope. Because anyone that has a pet has a family. And no family member should go hungry, be they with two legs or four.

Thankfully, we’re not in this alone.

Canidae All Natural Pet Foods and Dogswell Pet Food Company offer our community a level of generous support that simply cannot be articulated in words. Their commitments help keep our pet food bank stocked with premium quality food at a level that means we don’t run out. And while having well stocked cupboards is crucial, it takes more than food for a food based operation to be successful.

It takes respect and dignity and courtesy, and a focus on providing solace to everyone coming through our doors. We are a pet food bank, but we are also a lifeline for every family and every family pet going hungry.

When The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank first opened, we knew that we were needed. The news could not be ignored; times were tough everywhere. And in Oregon, the times were even tougher than most places. While economic conditions may be improving for some families, for many others conditions continue to erode. Giving up their own food to keep their pets alive; starving themselves so that their pets don’t. An altruistic choice that no one should ever have to make.

That’s where The Pongo Fund comes in. We feed the family by feeding their pets; allowing each to have good food for their dinner. But sometimes just having food available is not enough. Sometimes folks cannot get to the food, and they lose hope. Not knowing where to turn for help, they suffer in silence.

That’s what Paul was doing yesterday. He was suffering because he had no food, having taken the meager food box rations he received and fed them to his two dogs, Coco and Lazer. Now the food was gone, and none of them had eaten for three days. And more money for more food would not arrive until the 1st.

Thankfully he got in touch with his caseworker at the Oregon Department of Human Services. He told Chelle the situation, and that he didn’t know what to do. Luckily, Chelle knew what to do. She immediately made the call to The Pongo Fund, explaining that lives were in jeopardy. And The Pongo Fund took it from there.

Our Critical Response Team kicked into action, a team of individuals geared to resolve situations like this quickly because every moment counts. A call was made to Salty’s Dog Shop in Portland; the closest pet food store to where Paul, Coco and Lazer live. And within a matter of minutes, they had a big bag of Canidae ALS dog food mobilized and ready for Paul.

Please think about that for a moment… a HUGE organization like the Department of Human Services working with a small-but-mighty group like Pongo. How could that be? The answer is because we all care; working together to deliver a message of hope every day.

The message from Paul said it best. His words were carefully chosen, but more powerful than any professional speaker could have articulated. He said “My pups are my life. They eat before me. And tonight we will all eat. Tonight is a great night. How can I ever thank you.”

You already have, Paul; you already have.

Times continue to be tough and the community need is growing; but the options for where people can go for help are not. The Pongo Fund is the place that more and more will turn. We’re doing good things, as Paul, Lazer & Coco will attest.

Thanks to the generosity provided by Canidae All Natural Pet Foods, Dogswell Pet Food Company and great community partners like Salty’s Dog Shop, our doors will remain open and we will continue to battle hunger.

Giving a chance to animals that otherwise wouldn’t a chance, and hope to families frequently without hope. It’s the right thing to do.

Larry Chusid
Director
The Pongo Fund
PO Box 8244
Portland OR 97207
larry@thepongofund.org

Together they donated more than $1500 of food to The Pongo Fund during their Summer Super Sale Pet Food Drive last weekend. We are honored by such generosity, and will use it to continue our mission of providing some 50,000 meals each month for the starving family pets of anyone in honest need. Further protecting these much loved animals from being abandoned or surrendered simply because their families cannot currently afford the food to keep them fed.

The Pongo Fund is Oregon’s only singularly dedicated pet food charity, and we work hard every single day to keep starving pets alive, reduce shelter populations and keep families together.

Simply put, we give a chance to animals that otherwise wouldn’t have a chance; and hope to families frequently without any hope. On behalf of our entire community and all those that we help, The Pongo Fund says thank you.

Please join Furever Pets during the NE Broadway Summer Super Sale, Friday 7/16 – Sunday 7/18. It’s their BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR with specials galore…stop by and say hello and Buy A Bag For Pongo.

The Pongo Fund, an all-volunteer non-profit public charity, is Oregon’s largest charitable pet food resource. We provide some 50,000 meals each month for starving family pets; much-loved pets that would likely be abandoned or surrendered simply because their families cannot currently afford the food to them fed. We reduce shelter populations, we keep families together…we keep pets alive. All with one bag of food.

Furever Pets 1902 NE Broadway Street, Portland…, OR 97232 t: 503.282.4225
Mon – Fri 10 am to 8 pm, Sat 10 am – 7 pm, Sun 10 am – 6 pm

Did you know that a dog left in a car on a warm day can collapse from heatstroke in just minutes? Many people love their dogs and want to take them with them wherever they go. But when the mercury rises, it’s safest to leave Rover at home.

On a 78-degree day, a car parked in the sun can reach 160 degrees in minutes. Even opening windows or parking in the shade won’t prevent a dog from getting overheated. The heat is especially hard on dogs because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. With only hot air to breathe, dogs and other animals can suffer irreparable brain damage and even die of heatstroke.

PROTECT YOUR DOG BY TAKING THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:

Don’t take a chance; leave your dog at home on warm days. Even just a quick trip to the store can be deadly.

Learn the signs of heat exhaustion: restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid pulse, fever, vomiting, glazed eyes, dizziness, or lack of coordination.

If your dog shows any of these symptoms, get him or her to shade or air conditioning right away. Lower body temperature gradually by providing water to drink, applying a cold towel or ice pack to the head, neck, and chest, or immersing your dog in cool (not cold) water.

If you see a dog, or a child, in danger, first CALL 911, then try to have the dog’s guardian paged inside the store.

Time is of the essence…even a few moments could be deadly for a dog left inside a hot car. Step up and protect the innocent…don’t let a dog die.

757-622-PETA      HelpingAnimals.com

And they were kind enough to invite The Pongo Fund, Oregon’s only dedicated pet food charitable resource, to set up a booth so that more folks could learn about the life-saving work that we do. That is, protecting family pets from starving, or being abandoned or surrendered, when their families are currently unable to afford the pet food they need.

The street was closed and instead of traffic it was filled with vendors and raffles and treats for both dogs and people. And lots and lots of happy and wiggly dogs. There were big dogs and little dogs; both three-legged and four. There was even Mr. Peabody…who propels himself around just fine on two front legs with a cool cart supporting his rear legs.

So all in all it was a sunny and happy day. But the best part is that Sellwood Dog Supply, one of the greatest pet supply stores anywhere, decided to donate 10% of their entire day’s sales to The Pongo Fund. And even better, some other local vendors decided to chip in as well. Like Lili Patisserie, donating all of the money they raised from selling their super delicious homemade cookies and fresh strawberry lemonade.

Before we knew it the day was over, and we were sad to see it come to a close. There’s something about spending a sunny afternoon under the shade of nearby trees, drinking strawberry lemonade and surrounded by lots and lots of wagging tails. But it was a very good day; a great day actually and we made lots of new friends

And we all just about fell over when we learned how supportive the community had been. Along with tee shirt sales and other donations, Sellwood Dog Supply and their generous customers donated nearly $1,500 of high quality dog & cat food (most of it Canidae & Felidae, two of Pongo’s preferred brands) and cash to The Pongo Fund; helping us continue our vital work of keeping well-loved family pets from starving.

Thank you to Kathleen, Charlie, Mary, Tim, Damien, Little Bear, Eli and everyone at Sellwood Dog Supply, from all of us at The Pongo Fund. Tails wag because of you!

Larry Chusid, Director

Sellwood Dog Supply, 8334 SE 17th, Portland OR 97202 www.sellwooddogsupply.com

The Pongo Fund is generously supported by Canidae All Natural Pet Foods www.canidae.com and Dogswell Pet Food Company www.dogswell.com

We are conveniently open to any family in honest need twice per month, and also donate pet food to numerous family focused charitable organizations to share with their own clients throughout Oregon & SW Washington. Still, sometimes it is not enough. Such is the case when families don’t find out about us in time, and both their cupboards and wallets run bare.

That very thing happened today.

Jerry called and said he had no food for his cats. Although his voice mail message was spoken calmly, he made it clear that he was facing desperate times. He has five cats, and has also taken on the responsibility to feed three cats belonging to a neighbor that also cannot afford food. Unforeseen expenses ate up the pet food dollars he had budgeted from his limited disability check, leaving him with no food for himself or his cats. And no money to buy any.

I called him back immediately, and learned he had cat food to last only through today. He had gone to his local food pantry for human food assistance, but was distressed to find they had no cat food to provide. After all, his cats are his family.

He knew they couldn’t all survive another week sharing one meager food box. He called several groups seeking aid, but no one would help. Luckily he was referred to us. With no where else to turn, he didn’t know what to do. Fortunately The Pongo Fund knows what to do, and that’s why we provide some 50,000 meals per month helping to keep family pets alive when no one else will.

Jerry is disabled and has difficulty going too far from home. So I made an emergency plea to Julie at Green Dog Pet Supply in Portland, asking for assistance. They’re a top notch pet supply store close to where Jerry lives and, if Jerry could get to them, would they help? Without a moment of hesitation, Julie said absolutely. While we were on the phone she immediately organized enough high quality cat food to get Jerry’s cat family through this crisis, and told me to call him back and invite him on over.

I made that second call to Jerry just a few minutes after my initial call to him. When I told him the good news he could hardly believe it and didn’t know what to say. He said he was embarrassed, and didn’t know how to thank me. I told him the fact that he called was thanks enough, but the real thanks should go to Green Dog Pet Supply. Because today is the day that Green Dog Pet Supply saved Jerry’s family from starving.

Thank you Green Dog Pet Supply!

Larry Chusid, Director, The Pongo Fund

(Green Dog Pet Supply www.greendogpetsupply.com )

We’ve got a nice group of friends. We’ve got 1000’s of canine and feline friends, friends that are alive today because we keep them fed with quality foods from Canidae, Felidae & Dogswell. And we count as friends many special people and businesses that support our mission of providing quality dog and cat food for the family pets of anyone in honest need. And during these tough times, a lot of people are in honest need.

But on Saturday, June 26th from 11-4, one of our friends is doing something extra special for us. That’s the day that our wonderful friends at Sellwood Dog Supply will host their Community Fair, a day for everything pet. An event so big that they’re closing the street and filling it with vendors and raffles and samples and all sorts of fun.  Even better, they will offer a 15% discount off any products of any vendor present that day (excluding food).

But the best part…they’re donating 10% of their entire day’s sales to The Pongo Fund. And even better, one of our other friends has offered to match that amount, meaning that every dollar donated to us by Sellwood Dog Supply will be doubled. So let’s just say we’re doubly excited.

If you’re running low on pet food or are in need of anything dog or cat, please head on over to Sellwood Dog Supply on June 26th between 11-4. We promise you’ll find everything that you’re looking for, even things you didn’t know you were looking for. And for goodness sake bring your pets and let them pick out their favorite treats.

Your purchase on June 26th will not only bring joy to your own Ginger or Pickle or Callie or Duke or Paddy or Simon or Felix or Tavish, but it will also save the lives of 1000’s of pets that have no food for their dinner.

As Albert Pine said: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

Seize your chance for Immortality!

Sellwood Dog Supply; 8334 SE 17th Ave. Portland, OR 97202. 503-239-1517

As the Executive Director of this 100% all volunteer public charity, I get to experience some wonderful things. It is an awesome privilege. And that privilege came again today in the names of Michelle, Kerry, Merlin and Doing.

April was another huge month for us with a record 313 families entering our home, seeking both solace and the lifesaving food that would keep their families together. That equates to some 32,000 quality meals donated for more than 1,200 family pets that had no food for their dinner; all in just a total of six hours time. And every single one of those families was treated with dignity, kindness, love and respect. But that’s not all that we do.

We also manage a detailed distribution network, donating a consistent measure of premium pet food to some two-dozen well respected community organizations assisting families in crisis, including St. Francis Dining Hall, NE Emergency Food Pantry, Potluck in the Park, Union Gospel Mission, FISH Emergency Services, King’s Cupboard, First Presbyterian of Oregon City, Salvation Army Moore Street, St. Marks Lutheran, St. Andrews Episcopal, Crossroads Coventry, University Park Adventist and many more. And when all combined we’re providing some 50,000 meals per month, reaching into every part of the community that we can. 

And let’s not forget the single largest donation we’ve made to date; the seven tons of premium pet food that little tiny The Pongo Fund sent to the huge Oregon Food Bank for redistribution statewide, further helping in the fight to eliminate hunger. Yes, seven tons!

Still, some may wonder why we do this. The answer? We do this because families without much food are giving up the little that they have to keep their pets from starving. And that’s where we come in…we feed the family by feeding their pets.

Very quietly, in our customary and respectful way…we’ve now provided 500,000 quality meals for starving dog and cat friends. Saving these animals from being abandoned or surrendered simply because their families cannot afford to feed them. And keeping their families together in the process.

But even with all that, some folks still might not really understand why we put forth such effort. So here’s a reminder:

I received this urgent email from Michelle earlier today. We’re in Oregon, and she’s in Florida:

Hi
I live in South Florida but my sister is in the Portland area. She lives in Milwaukee. Last night, she told me she is completely out of cat food. She is out of food for herself too but she is more concerned about her two cats. I have a friend who is the Humane Educator at the Oregon Humane Society in Portland and I reached out to her. She said that they cannot help as they are too far away and she would need to find a way to get there. But she recommended we look into your program.

I am writing to ask if there is any way you can assist her. She is homebound and fighting off a bad illness right now so there is no way she can get to you. And even if I sent her money she can’t get out to get the food. Perhaps I can give you a donation instead. Please let me know. I have not told her about you because I don’t want to get her hopes up. “It’s not about loving animals; it’s about respect.”

I responded immediately, telling her we would help, and received back the following email:

That is so awesome. I sent her your e mail and hopefully she will get in touch. I do not think she has a phone. Her name is Kerry and she lives in Milwaukee, OR. She is homebound so she is there all the time. I hope you can help her. Yes she is on food stamps but she is relatively new there and I doubt she knows about all the social services. Thank you so much.

I quickly connected with Kerry and found she had only one small cup of food left for two hungry cats. After that, her beloved kitties Merlin & Doing would have no food at all. I asked her what would happen then, and she said her cats would eat noodles cooked in chicken broth. I suspect that might have been her own dinner that she would instead give to her kitties. And we just couldn’t let that happen.

Unfortunately, The Pongo Fund does not yet have a volunteer emergency response team in place to handle a situation like this; someone that could drop what they’re doing and immediately get food where it’s needed on a moment’s notice. We’ll work on that tomorrow.  But for right now my only concern was getting food for this family. And in short order, thanks to a well crafted plan that came together perfectly, we had food in hand and were on the way to save this family. And beginning next week we have a volunteer that will make regular deliveries. How cool is that?

Kerry sent me an email after the food arrived. 

After you read her email, please let others read it too. And please forward it to friends and friends of friends. I’m proud of what we did today, and want eveyone to remember how easy it is to make a difference for another, both two legged and four.

This is her email:

It’s here !!!!! What a great thing you did for Doing and Merlin… My sister will let the animal community nation wide know what a great service you have… The donations will come pouring in for you.. You have touched my heart and put a tear of gratitude down my cheeks…I have dedicated my life to working with and respecting and loving animals. This was a hard thing for me to do.. Asking for help is not easy.. You my dear one have made my day and my heart sing.

I hope that everyone got to share in some of the love and joy that I felt today; it was a very good day.

Larry Chusid, Executive Director, The Pongo Fund

For us, every day is a rewarding day. But this past Sunday was an especially rewarding day, as we donated nearly 15,000 meals of premium quality Canidae, Felidae & Dogswell pet food for more than 500 family pets belonging to 140 families. Family pets that, without us, might be surrendered or abandoned simply because their families cannot afford to feed them.

But what made this Sunday especially rewarding was what one of our guests told me.

She took me by the hand and with teary eyes told me that The Pongo Fund saved her life. She said that her cats were her only family and that, if anything happened to them, she would not want to go on without them.

She’d been out of work for months, and spent her food stamps on human food for her cats. This left her hungry, but she was okay with that. At least, that’s what she said. But I knew it wasn’t true. I knew the truth was that she was hungry and scared, and that she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t need to tell me that; it was etched on her face. 

And that’s how we saved a life last Sunday. Because the premium quality Felidae cat food that we provided to her, for her cats, would be the conduit that would ultimately keep them all alive. Because now her cats could eat, and she could eat, and no one would go to bed hungry.

Thank you to Canidae, Felidae & Dogswell, along with each of our great Team Pongo volunteers, because they are the ones that make this all possible.

Allison M., Allison S., Christina, Darla, Elliot, Emilio, J., Jim, Jody, Julie, Karen, Katie, Kathy, Kelly, Kim, Laura, Laurie G., Laurie R., Leeann, Leslie, Linda, Marc, Mark, Michelle R., Michelle S., Mike B., Mike S., Nancy, Peggy, Sara, Sarah, Shannon, Tad and Tanya…thank you for putting forth the kind of courtesy, compassion and professionalism that would make Nordstrom proud.

It is because of your open hearts and willingness to embrace those that need us that we were able to save a life on this day.

Larry Chusid, Director, The Pongo Fund