Today in a plan hatched several weeks ago, Kibble Couriers quietly hit the streets to deliver holiday cheer to some of our community’s most fragile. Laden with gifts of love they brought hope and smiles to those who would never ask for such but welcomed them nonetheless. Some of the people reached today have the best animals so of course we were ready for them too. The plan was to bring something meaningful to those who do not long for the latest iPhone or Keurig, sparkling jewels or fancy handbags. Because sometimes a brown craft paper grocery shopping bag doubled thick will work just as well as the handbag priced at $600.

These Secret Santa Kibble Couriers went on their way not knowing exactly what to expect other than being willing to open their heart. Because when you do this work, the work of helping others, you really need little more. A faster internet? Who cares? More channels to watch? No thanks? An iPad that holds more games? Why? This was not about any of that stuff.

Socks. Toothbrush. Toothpaste. Deodorant. Gloves. More socks. Hat. Another hat. You get the idea. A bunch of basic stuff that you don’t see advertised on TV because it’s not exciting. But it doesn’t need to be exciting. It just needs to be. And we as humans need to be part of that.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” — ‎Leo Buscaglia‬

The need is there year around; it doesn’t just magically appear during the holidays. But maybe we see it more clearly during these more solemn times. Dark comes sooner, light comes later. We feel the pull to smile on others. And that’s ok. Because once you see the need, once you step forward and say “I will help,” well, those are some of the best times.

There were no Hatchimals or drones or Xboxes or Mario games. But there were books and bright flashlights and backup batteries and low sugar energy bars and laundry coins. There were even over-the-counter reading glasses because we all laugh at those until we need them. Because to not be able to read the words, that is a heartbreak.

These folks today spent the day before Christmas the same way that millions did, filling their hearts with joy. But maybe they did it differently than most of those others. They needed no frantic malls or online shopping or traffic jams to do what they wanted to do. Because what they wanted, all they wanted, was to bring joy to some folks who maybe have forgotten what joy is all about. And today they remembered.

The Pongo Fund is a pet food bank. Because hungry people have hungry pets. Our award winning and volunteer driven group helps more animals than any other group in Oregon by providing high quality food and vital veterinary care for the family pets of anyone in honest need, keeping them safe, healthy and out of the shelters. 90,000 animals helped; 9,000,000 healthy meals provided. But sometimes we do more. Today was one of those days.

To our Kibble Couriers who gave their day to deliver joy, we thank you. “I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” — E.E Hale

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We are The Pongo Fund. And this is why we Pongo.

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