(OCEAN CITY, Md.) - Bags of dog and cat food quickly disappeared from shelves on a busy Saturday morning in Ocean City at a local pet pantry.
Kenille's Kupboard, located on the property next door to the Ocean City Animal Hospital, provides a variety of pet supplies to animal owners for free when they can't afford the items themselves. Like a food pantry for humans, Kenille's Kupboard is a nonprofit aimed at helping low-income families keep their pets at home.
"We knew there was a need," said Kenille Davies, founder of the Kupboard. "People [were] having problems trying to feed their animals and take care of them. So we thought that would be a good place to be."
Together with a group of friends, Kenille's Kupboard launched in 2013 in a 16x20-foot shed, which is packed to capacity with pet food, carriers, toys and over-the-counter medical supplies today.
The Kupboard is open every Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., even in extreme weather conditions.
"It's been wonderful. You meet such nice people and people that are needy," said Davies. "We know that they feel good when they leave here because they have a little bit to go on until the next paycheck comes."
Several people at the Kupboard one Saturday morning have fallen on hard times, including Kimberly Stedding.
"I lost my job in January so it's been really helpful," said Stedding.
Kenille's Kupboard is Stedding's last resort to provide for her eight pets.
"You know when you're short on money and you don't know how you're going to pay your bills, and then you still have to take care of your animals. It's so nice this organization," said Stedding.
Carolyn Miller, one of the pantry's co-founders talks about the kind of supplies the Kupboard carries.
"It goes from just something as basic as cat litter and food, to helping them with a skin disorder," said Miller, "and helping them [arrange] an appointment at the animal hospital. That's our range right now. The focus is mostly food and supplies."
Pet owners come from as far as Cambridge and Accomack County to pick up supplies from the Kupboard, which usually has a long line forming at the shed's door by 11:30 a.m. - sometimes earlier!
It's the support of the Delmarva community donating so many supplies that helps support these families in need.
"It's just unreal because I've never met any such nice people that will actually help people to keep their pets at home," said Christie McCann, another Kupboard regular.
"Easton, Cambridge, Sussex County, it doesn't matter. If you need help, we're going to help," said Miller.
If you would like to donate any animal supplies, Kenille's Kupboard has several drop-off locations:
- Fenwick Petshop
- Pottery Place in Fenwick Island
- Ocean City Animal Hospital
- Ocean Lanes on 72nd Street in Ocean City
- Ocean View Animal Hospital
- Millville Pet Shop
- House Pets in Millville
If you're a pet parent and can't make it to Kenille's Kupboard yourself, you can call (302) 539-0595 or email KenillesKupboard@gmail.com to schedule a delivery date.