Wisconsin Humane Society receives 5,000 pounds of pet food and litter for community pet pantry

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Humane Society's food panty serves countless families and their animals. For several days, that pantry remained empty, until two local grocery chains heard their plea. 

A delivery like the one the Wisconsin Humane Society received can change lives, especially for the smallest and furriest family members. 

"As fast as we get it, a lot of times, it goes out because we do have a lot of families who do utilize this service," said Billy Zakrzewski, the philanthropic advisor to the Wisconsin Humane Society.

At the Wisconsin Humane Society, the Furry Friends Food Panty is a necessary resource. 

"I’ve been using this pantry for a long time. Maybe five or six years," said Valonda Eskridge, a community member. 

For some, buying pet food isn't always a choice. 

“Sometimes I can. Sometimes I can’t. Just like today, I can’t, so that’s why I come," said Eskridge. 

As often as this pantry is used, it becomes empty just as quickly. 

“We want to help change that," said Emilie Williamson, a corporate affairs employee with Metro Market and Pick 'N Save. "We wanted to do that because you know, for a lot of us, pets are family.”

That's why Metro Market and Pick 'N Save have donated more than $5,000 worth of pet food and litter. 

“It’s great to be able to keep the animals in the homes where they feel love. Just, sometimes, families are struggling to provide those resources," said Williamson. 

It's a donation that employees say is already helping many pets. 

“It will help a lot of families. We’ve already had people coming in here who are going to be providing that to their families or they have a sister or brother who also have animals in need," said Zakrzewski.