Tucson, Ariz. — Exciting news for the Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank! After facing rising costs earlier this year, they’ve found a new permanent home in Midtown. On June 1st, director Donna DeConcini proudly cut the ribbon at their new location at 4444 E. Grant, Suite 116.
“We’re here to help anyone who needs pet food to keep their animals at home,” she said. The new rent is a manageable $1,000 a month, a significant drop from the $5,000 they were paying before. This change allows the food bank to invest more in vital services like spaying, neutering, and vaccinations.
Finding this spot wasn’t easy. DeConcini admits they felt lost at first. But after sharing their challenge on Good Morning Tucson, help poured in. “We received calls from ten different brokers eager to assist us,” she shared.
The new building opens up fresh opportunities. Instead of just a gallery for local vendors, there’s now a pet supply shop and a dedicated office for volunteers. This setup will help speed up order processing and potentially expand their outreach.
DeConcini is excited about partnering with the Tucson Action Team, who will assist with spaying and neutering programs. They also plan to host clinics and adoption events in the future. “The property owners are thrilled we’re here, bringing foot traffic and goodwill to the area,” she noted.
Local business owner Sergio Guayante, from Lesco Optical nearby, also expressed enthusiasm: “We’re looking forward to the community connections this will bring. We want to help raise funds for their cause.”
Over the last five years, the Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank has supported over 43,000 families. On opening day alone, they gave away more than 300 pounds of pet food. DeConcini aims to use their new resources to tackle the local shelter overcrowding crisis.
Their mission includes helping animals like Macy, a loyal dog found in the desert with her puppies. Macy is up for adoption and is just one example of the lives they’re positively impacting.
As DeConcini puts it, “We’ve found the perfect place for our work.”
If you want to support their efforts, the food bank is always in need of pet food and monetary donations. Volunteers to help with distributions are also welcome. More information is available via email at info@saafb.org or by calling (520) 268-7299.
In related news, recent studies show increased pet ownership during the pandemic has heightened the demand for pet resources like food banks. According to the American Pet Products Association, pet ownership surged to approximately 70% of U.S. households in 2021. This trend highlights the importance of organizations like the Southern Arizona Animal Food Bank, helping ensure every pet can stay in a loving home.
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