"No Empty Bowl" faces empty cupboard
A nursery rhyme goes something like this: “Old Mother Hubbard / Went to the cupboard / To get her poor dog a bone: / When she got there / The cupboard was bare / And so the poor dog had none.”
On the last Saturday in April – the 25th – Tammy Kelly, the Lenoir County SPCA, and other pet lovers joined forces to begin a project titled “No Empty Bowl.”
The primary purpose of this project is to assist pet owners who have fallen on tough economic times because of the impact on COVID-19 by offering them a resource to help them provide for their pets. The second purpose is to prevent the local SPCA from being swamped with pets surrendered by owners can no longer provide for their pets.
During the first three weeks of “No Empty Bowl,” more than $7,000 has been donated to the project. Those funds have been turned into food for dogs, cats, chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, horses and goats. Seven thousand dollars translates into tons of food. Some of the donations have assisted the Lenoir County SPCA and Lucky Cats. But the funds also bought food to help 175 families with feed their pets.
“Those being assisted are not just low-wealth residents, but many of these families are middle class people who have either lost their jobs or have seen their hours cut significantly,” said David Mooring, who has been with “No Empty Bowl” since its beginning.
“No matter how dedicated pet owners are, they are going to feed their families first.”
Despite the generosity of area citizens, “the cupboard is bare,” as the nursery rhyme says. As of May 7, all the food and supplies donated through “No Empty Bowl” have been distributed. Donations on Saturday, May 9, were down. Unless donations pour in on Saturday, May 16, the cupboard will be only sparsely supplied.
Special thanks to East Coast Power and Lighting and the Whitley Law Firm. Both made generous donations to “No Empty Bowl.” The North Lenoir FFA was the first organization to donate, giving $375. The Wheat Swamp Ruritan Club also donated $200.
In a recent newsletter, Macon Wooten, the Zone III governor for Ruritan in Lenoir County, issued a challenge for all Ruritan Clubs to make donations to support “No Empty Bowl.” I would like to extend that challenge to all civic organizations. Many of our friends and neighbors are in need. Please help.
Saturday, May 16, is another collection day. If you would like to donate pet food or supplies, the Lenoir County Extension Service and the Lenoir County SPCA will be accepting food and/or monetary donations at the Lenoir County Farmers Market from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Lenoir County Farmers Market is located at 100 N. Herritage Street in Kinston.
You can also make donations during the week at the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. You can give food or supplies. You can also give cash or by check made payable to the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Service. Call 252-527-2191 for more information.
As I write these words, I cannot help but think of Proverbs 12:10. That first part of the verse says, “The righteous care for the needs of their animals.” Join the righteous in providing for families in need – and their pets.
Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.
