Pet Food Drive Coming To 3 LI Stop & Shop Stores

LONG ISLAND, NY — Stop & Shop is set to host a pet food drive to support the Long Island Cares Baxter’s Pet Pantry in honor of National Pet Week, Stop & Shop announced.

The pet food drive will take place from May 4 through May 11 at three Stop & Shop stores across Long Island:

• 95 Old Country Road, Carle Place
• 291 W Main St., Smithtown
• 55 Motor Ave., Farmingdale

Customers who visit any of the three stores during National Pet Week will be able to donate pet
products, including food, toys, and cleaning materials. The donations will then be given to the
Long Island Cares Baxter’s Pet Pantry, so they can ensure that families and partner agencies,
including pet shelters, in Nassau and Suffolk Counties receive them to support their furry friends
and family members.

"At Stop & Shop, we believe in 'Feeding It Forward' for all our community members, human
and pet alike," said Daniel Wolk, external communications manager of Stop & Shop, in a news release. "During National Pet Week, we are proud to support the Long Island Cares Baxter’s Pet Pantry, so that our neighbors, including those with four legs, may receive food and supplies to live happy and healthy lives."

The opening of the week-long food drive is slated to begin 9 a.m. Saturday at Carle Place, Farmingdale and Smithtown. Only in the Carle Place store — from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. — will there be shelter dogs, provided for adoption by Paws of War.

In 2023, Long Island Cares distributed 164 tons of pet food and supplies to more than 300 member
agencies and pet shelters and noticed a 176 percent increase in families visiting their Baxter’s
location in Lindenhurst to collect products for their pets compared to the previous year. In the
early part of 2024, the food bank has seen an even larger increase in need, with their member
agencies already placing over 1,300 orders for pet food and supplies.

Before the year ends, Long Island Cares expects more than 1,000 families to visit their Baxter’s Pet Pantry and request products for their pets.

"We are so grateful for our friends at Stop & Shop for partnering with us to support pets living
with families struggling with food insecurity," said Paule Pachter, president and CEO of Long
Island Cares. "This is a great opportunity to show Long Island families with pets that we care."