Friendship Pet Food Pantry To Hold Valentine-Themed Fundraiser On Friday Night

This isn't in Uptown, but several volunteers from the Uptown area have asked us to help raise awareness of the service it offers: a food pantry for pets, so people don't have to give up their companion animals due to the inability to afford pet food.

"For the Love of Pets, the first-ever fundraising event for the Friendship Pet Food Pantry, will be held Friday, February 13, at Dolce Case Café (4947 N. Damen Ave.) from 7 to 10 pm.

Tickets are $35 in advance/$40 at the door and are available at FriendshipPetPantry.org. The cost includes wine, small plates catered by Dolce Casa, and beer from Begyle Brewing (one of the owners will attend to pour and discuss the beer).

Additional sponsors include OrangeBeautiful, creator of the benefit poster, and Alderman Ameya Pawar.

More than two dozen artists and local businesses -- including 4 Legs, Alapash, Amy's Candy Bar, Fork, Gather, Hazel, Neighborly and River Valley Farmer’s Table -- have donated items for the raffle and/or silent auction. Auction items also include breakfast with Alderman Pawar and a private sail on Lake Michigan for up to six people.

FP2 operates as a monthly service of The Friendship Center (2733 W. Lawrence Ave.) and provides dog food, cat food and related pet supplies to Chicago pet owners experiencing financial hardship. These provisions make it possible for residents to keep their beloved pets at home, instead of giving them away or surrendering them to already over-crowded shelters.

“No one should be forced to decide between feeding themselves and feeding their companion animals,” said Dara Salk, FP2 co-founder and a staff member in the 47th Ward office. “We make sure that no pet goes hungry and no owner has to part with their best friend due to the inability to afford food.”

“We need to replenish our supplies to continue to meet a critical need,” said Salk, noting that the pet pantry serves about 45 dogs and 60 cats each month. “We are a volunteer-run organization, and the funds raised go directly toward the purchase of much-needed food.”

FP2 also refers pet owners to Tree House Humane Society and PAWS for low-cost spaying and neutering. For more information, visit FriendshipPetPantry.org."