Kobe Henro, the Birth of a Pet Food Bank

It was the fall of 2020, COVID-19 was strengthening its grasp and just about everyone was feeling the impact.  As I sat in my car at a red light, along with my two loyal rescue dogs, Henry and Rosita, I glanced to my right and noticed an unusually long line of cars snaking around the local food pantry. I had never seen so many cars waiting for food, which made me wonder, if people are struggling to feed themselves and families, how are they able to provide food for their pets during these challenging times?

Three days later, Kobe Henro was launched, a pet food bank providing cat and dog food to hungry pets in need. A rather simple concept of delivering donated pet food from point A (donations from pet stores and pet food manufacturers) to point B (local food pantries). It took just a few months to establish a strong and steady flow of donations for our pantry partners. Once our supply began to exceed our demand, we extended our reach to offer food assistance to southern pet transports. Rescue partner relationships were secured, and when a southern rescue transport drives north to the Boston-area to drop off adoptable pets at a local shelter, we fill their van with donated pet food to help feed the hundreds of hungry pets they care for back home.

Kobe Henro, you are may thinking, where did that name come from? I have been a dog lover since my toddler days and thanks to my mom, I have been blessed with that animal loving gene, which I have graciously passed on to my three daughters. Dogs are family. I grew up with dogs and four wonderful canines have been an incredibly special part of my life, Koolie, Belle, Henry and Rosita. Koolie represents KO, Belle BE, Henry HEN and Rosita RO, hence KOBE HENRO. We are a 501c3 nonprofit started in memory and honor of the wonderful dogs who have been a part of my life since the mid-1980’s.

Our plan seems to be working and since our launch in October 2020, we have hand-delivered over 36,000 pounds of food, which translates into just about 100,000 meals of donated pet food and treats, to hungry cats and dogs in need. 

Many thanks to our donors, supporters and believers, we are proud to share that we are growing at a steady rate with plans to expand nationwide. 

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Instagram: @kobehenropetfoodbank    facebook: Kobe Henro Pet Food Bank 

www.kobehenro.org