One of HAWA’s goals is to provide pet food for low-income residents and HAWA has been doing that for many years. However, 2007 was a difficult year to meet the needs of those seeking our assistance. HAWA provides two food pantries with dog and cat food and is now undertaking the task of supplying pet food to Meals on Wheels who in turn give it to their pet owner clients. To meet this need we must provide at least 800 pounds of pet food per week.

HAWA has been working with MANNA, a major food bank in Asheville, NC to meet these needs. In the past HAWA was able to collect close to 4500 pounds of pet food a month at a cost of 9 cents a pound. About two years ago, one of the major pet food contributors found a more profitable way to dispose of broken and outdated bags of pet food and, therefore, MANNA has been increasingly unable to provide enough low cost pet food. From picking up dog and cat food once a month, in 2007 HAWA was only able to pick up food 3 times with each of these trips netting less than 1,000 pounds!  With the pet food recall that year, HAWA’s shelves were emptied. Appeals to the public helped us to surmount this shortage for awhile.  Unfortunately, HAWA found itself $2,134 in the hole for its food program. 

With a recession forecasted for the country in 2008, the need for pet food will greatly increase. HAWA counts on donations of food and money to help meet this growing need.

The public can help HAWA feed the pets of Haywood County that would go hungry without our help. Drop off pet food at the HAWA office at 145 Wall Street which is open between the hours of 10:00am to 5:00pm, Monday thru Thursdays. Cat food is very much appreciated as it is always in short supply.  Even easier make a donation to HAWA’s pet food program. Donations can be mailed to HAWA, PO Box 992, Waynesville, NC 28786.