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Jameson Humane’s Pet Pantry Program Makes Sure that People in the Community Are Able to Meet Their Pets’ Nutritional Needs

Article by Jeff Richard, Jameson Humane Volunteer

As we have noted before on this blog, Jameson Humane has succeeded in ensuring that companion animals are able to stay with their human families through programs that give a broad range of help to people in caring for their animals. (See, our October 16, 2024 article on Jameson’s Community Animal Assistance Program (https://www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org/news-events/blog/34) and the February 22, 2025 article about the Joann Serafini Training & Behavioral Support Program (https://www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org/news-events/blog/35).)

Another shining example of Jameson Humane’s support of human/animal families is a program known as the “Andy & Betty Beckstoffer Mobile Community Pet Pantry.” Jameson Humane first launched the program in 2020 in response to the global pandemic to make sure people could get adequate supplies of pet food without having to worry about being exposed to Covid-19 (as they might be in grocery or pet stores). At those early Pet Pantry events – held at venues such as the Crosswalk Community Church parking lot – volunteers loaded bags of pet food and other supplies into car trunks without any need for drivers to interact physically with those loading the food.  

The work of the Pet Pantry proved so effective and vitally needed by the community that Jameson has continued and expanded the program beyond any pandemic-related concerns or procedures. The Pet Pantry program obtains donations of pet food (or financial support for acquisition of pet food) from local stores and distributes the pet food to those who seek it at monthly events.

Each year, Jameson Humane conducts or supports numerous regularly scheduled pet food distribution events and provides about 600 bags of cat food and dog food every month to help keep animal companions well-nourished and able to remain with their families. Each month, Jameson organizes six to seven Pet Pantry events of its own, which are hosted in collaboration with the health care organization Communicare+Ole (formerly called Clinic OLE) at its Napa, Calistoga, and Fairfield facilities. Additionally, Jameson provides food for another 100 pets each month, on average, at distribution events hosted by the Kiwanis Club in American Canyon. Jameson Humane also delivers about 60 bags of pet food each month to a senior living community in Napa. And finally, every two months, Jameson provides approximately 200 bags of pet food to support a drive-through pet food distribution event hosted by Agape of Napa Valley, a nonprofit organization in Yountville that conducts an emergency food program.

The job of coordinating these efforts requires the collaboration of many people and organizations. The program is financially supported by Jameson’s donors, including most notably a three-year pledge (through 2026) made by beloved philanthropists Betty and Andy Beckstoffer. And about 22 of Jameson’s dedicated team of volunteers and staff handle Jameson’s Pet Pantry events, which are overseen tirelessly by Jameson Executive Director Brenda Burke. In preparation for pet food distribution events, Jameson Humane organizes “bagging groups” of volunteers who transfer cat food and dog food from the large bags donated by program supporters into smaller zip-lock bags to be distributed at the events.

 The community’s need for assistance in feeding pets has continued to grow in recent years, as shown by the following estimates of total pounds of pet food provided by Jameson Humane in the past three years:

• 2023: 40,000 pounds
• 2024: 55,000 pounds
• 2025: 70,000 pounds.

These numbers demonstrate the extraordinary impact of the Pet Pantry program.  In 2025 alone, based on the volume of food provided, it is estimated that 11,666 animals consumed Pet Pantry-supplied food, and received around 120,000 meals!

It should be noted that the Pet Pantry program does not require people to show financial need to receive pet food at distribution events. Jameson Humane believes that requiring people to provide proof of financial hardship or some other test of economic eligibility would be an unnecessary obstacle and counterproductive to the overriding goal of ensuring that animals receive the food they need.

 How to Participate as a Volunteer, How to Find Events to Attend, and How to Donate to Support Jameson Humane’s Programs

• Please volunteer! If you would like to join the team and give your time to the program as a volunteer, please email Brenda@jamesonhumane.org 
• Please attend! If you are in need of pet food, please check Jameson Humane’s monthly schedule of events, which you can find here:  https://www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org/news-events/calendar
• Please donate! Jameson Humane would be grateful for donations of any amount. To support Jameson’s programs in this way, please go here:  

https://www.jamesonanimalrescueranch.org/donate/donation

Many Thanks to the People and Organizations Who Have Made the Pet Pantry Program a Success

Jameson Humane is grateful to the following organizations for their collaboration and support in making the Pet Pantry program and similar pet food distribution events so successful:

• Crosswalk Community Church
• Greater Good Charities
• Agape of Napa Valley
• Kiwanis Club of American Canyon
• Communicare+OLE staff and volunteers
• Walmart
• Safeway
• Tractor Supply

Article by Jeff Richard, Jameson Humane Volunteer