"Times are hard on a lot of people. Nobody should have to decide between feeding themselves or their pets," said Heather Buller-Grady. Determined to help, the Mount Joy woman took action. In January, she opened a free pet pantry at her house, 210 Mount Joy St., where anyone can pick up cat food, dog food, pellet litter and even toys for their pets.

Buller-Grady got the idea for the free pantry during COVID, when she had trouble finding pet food for her own pets. "Sometimes our animals liked it, and other times, not so much," she said. "I decided rather than waste it, maybe someone could use it." She's also active with trap, neuter and return (TNR) of feral cats in her community. "I had noticed while doing TNR in Mount Joy, I was finding several friendly cats," she recalled. "I kept wondering if they had been released outside to find their own food. Could people not afford to keep them? My hope is to help people in need or who are just having a hard time for that moment and help people not have to choose between the food they need and the food their animals might need."

After setting up a donation box on her porch, Buller-Grady put out a call on Facebook asking for donations. "The response was great, and I have yet to run empty," she said. "I break down the large bags of food into gallon-size Ziploc bags so it could help more people." Bags are labeled to note if they contain dog food or cat food.

The pantry is open all the time, she said. "The porch light turns off around midnight, but just stop by and get what you need," she stated. "I run it on the honor system and no questions asked. No need to feel embarrassed."

Although the pantry is located in Mount Joy, Buller-Grady noted that it's open to anyone in surrounding communities, including Manheim, Elizabethtown, Bainbridge, Maytown and Marietta.

"In this economy, it takes a village," she remarked. "If we as a community can help relieve someone else's stress of just helping to feed their pets, hopefully it can keep pets in their homes and out of shelters or released on the streets."

She noted that all donations of any size are appreciated, adding, "If the food you got your pet isn't working, please consider donating it. Someone else could surely use it."

Donations may be dropped off at 210 Mount Joy St., Mount Joy. For more information, email Mtjoypetfoodpantry@gmail.com.