Feeding pets, feeding family
Animal Food Bank delivers meals when owners can’t
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/04/2022 (1421 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Unexpected free time led Sara Anema to take advantage of a volunteer opportunity she just couldn’t pass up.
Anema was off work with a knee injury in February 2020 when she saw a news story about the Winnipeg branch of Animal Food Bank, an organization that provides food to people who are struggling to feed their pets.
The 47-year-old Norwood resident messaged Animal Food Bank founder Nicole Frey and expressing interest in getting involved. Frey asked if she could start right away, and Anema was soon making deliveries around the city.
A short time later, Anema was promoted to manager of the Winnipeg branch.
“I had the downtime, so I thought, why not do something that I absolutely love?” recalls Anema, who works as a letter carrier for Canada Post. “I love animals, so it just seemed like a natural fit.”
In her role with Animal Food Bank, Anema collects donations, organizes volunteers and fulfills requests.
(People who need help can go to animalfoodbank.org and ask for assistance. Applicants do not have to prove their need. It’s part of the organization’s goal to improve the quality of life of pets and, by extension, the quality of life of their owners.)
“I enjoy volunteering with Animal Food Bank because we’re making sure animals are fed,” Anema says. “Our clients are the pets, basically.”
Frey, a former Winnipegger who now lives in Medicine Hat, Alta., founded Animal Food Bank in December 2019, with the goal of being a national force for feeding pets in need.
In addition to Winnipeg, the organization has branches in the Okanagan (B.C.) and Medicine Hat. It also works closely with another animal food bank in Calgary.
Animal Food Bank views the pet as the client. As such, volunteers are mindful of allergies and want the pet to be on a consistent food as much as possible. Volunteers also aim to provide enough dry food to last four weeks or more.
The Winnipeg branch has delivered 30,000 meals for cats and 10,000 meals for dogs in the last three months alone. The branch has also helped feed rabbits, guinea pigs, snakes and bearded dragons.
“The goal of the Animal Food Bank is to keep pets with their families,” Anema says. “They’re family, too.”
Frey says she is grateful for Anema’s many contributions to the organization.
“She’s this beautiful, authentic human being who really has a passion for making sure the animals are fed,” Frey says. “I’m grateful every second of every day that she continues to volunteer with us, because I always say without her, there would be no Animal Food Bank in Winnipeg.”
Two years after she first got involved, Anema is thriving in her role with the food bank.
She grew up with animals and currently has a mastiff mix named Finley, so she understands the way pets can improve one’s life.
“They’re the best companions,” Anema says. “They know when you’re upset, they comfort you, they keep you company, they are your best friend. I honestly don’t know what I would do without my dog.”
Animal Food Bank is currently seeking donations and looking for volunteer drivers. Anyone interested can apply at animalfoodbank.org.
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
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