Broad Ripple resident Betsy Alt's idea to provide supplemental pet food has united area canine and feline animal owners by creating Callie Cares Pet Food Pantry (CCPFP).

"I started a not-for-profit whose mission is to help struggling families with urgent needs for their pets. Our biggest initiative is a pet food pantry. As far as I know, there are only two other pet food pantries in Indy, one run by F.I.D.O. (Friends of Indianapolis Dogs at www.fidoindy.org) and one at FACE (Foundation Against Companion-Animal Euthanasia at www.facespayneuter.org/outreach.html). We are only in the beginning stages and awareness is our number one goal...awareness among those who need our service, those who may be able to donate and of course, volunteers. Our pet food distributions will take place twice per month and for the immediate future, they will be held inside the old family center in Broad Ripple Park," she mentioned.

December 22, 2013, was CCPFP's first official distribution of cat and dog food and treats from inside the former family center in Broad Ripple Park at 1550 Broad Ripple Avenue. Two additional distributions occurred in January. The next distribution dates are February 9 and 23 and March 9 and 30, 2013, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 Noon. Ms. Alt started Callie Cares Inc. last year because her own dog, whose name the organization bears, had sustained a serious injury and needed expensive and complicated treatment. "I didn't know how I was going to afford to get her that treatment. I started putting together some fundraisers, including a pasta dinner and raffle. I set up a donations website where friends could help out," she said. According to Ms. Alt, she basically created a mini-public relations campaign through social media. The College Avenue Old National Bank branch got involved by opening an account in Callie's name to receive funds and several other local small business donated products and services for a raffle. "There weren't really a lot of financial donations - small events like offering massage services (She has a bodywork studio on 54th Street), organizing an all-you-can-eat pasta dinner at Moe & Johnny's - mostly raised money for Callie's surgery and post-op therapy. "The effort was so successful, it raised enough for the surgery in about four weeks," Ms. Alt explained.

"Before Callie even had her surgery, I decided to start a non-profit to 'pay it forward' for other pet owners in need in some way," said Ms. Alt. "Callie Cares Inc. was formed in April, 2012, and I felt the best way to help the most people immediately was via a pet food pantry. The other two Indianapolis pet food pantries are farther south, so it seemed Midtown might be a good location for CCPFP," she added.

CCPFP stocks its shelves with cat and dog food donations and financial contributions from individuals. So far, the organization is doing well with donations. "Our biggest challenge right now is trying to connect with pet families who are having trouble providing adequate food for their cats and dogs," stated Ms. Alt. "It's been amazing how many people didn't even know there were two pet food pantries out there. We really are hoping to get the message to people in the 46220 zip code and people nearby. Even if they don't need help, they may know someone who does, they can let them know," she emphasized.

CCPFP is a supplemental food program. In other words, the pantry provides food on a short-term, temporary basis to help families provide adequate food for their pets during financial hardship. Studies have shown that inability to feed pets can be a contributing factor to increased surrenders to shelters. Pets also need proper and sufficient food in order to remain healthy.

Ms. Alt is "mom" to two full-blooded poodles. In addition to Callie, a standard who was adopted from a rescue organization, she shares her home with Casper, a miniature. She lives and works in Broad Ripple and can often be seen walking both her "kids" on the Monon Trail during nice weather.

Certain criteria are required to receive assistance from the CCPFP. Details can be found on their website at: www.calliecaresinc.com. Questions about guidelines and assistance can also be answered at: ccipetfoodpantry@gmail.com or by sending a message to Ms. Alt via the Callie Cares Inc. Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/CallieCaresInc.

To see more about Ms. Alt and Callie's journey, you can check out two feature stories that appeared on WISH-TV Channel 8. The first, about Ms. Alt's successful campaign to raise the funds for Callie's surgery, aired March 28, 2012. The most recent, about the establishment of CCI and in particular, the pet food pantry initiative, aired on January 6 at this link: (http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/a-dog-owner-pays-it-forward-through-pet-food) that tells their inspiring story.