Mason County residents who are in need of food for their pets will now be able to find help at the “Pet Blessing Box” located in the parking lot of the YMCA.
Dylan Reed, a seventh grade at MCMS, said the idea for the box came to him because he understands there are a lot of families who are unable to afford food for their pets.
“We thought if a family can’t buy food for themselves, we would relieve the burdens of them having to feed their pets,” he said. “This is a way to help families who may be unable to feed their animals.”
Reed said any kind of animal food can be put inside the box.
“They can put dry food, wet food, treats and just any kind of animal food,” he said.
According to Reed, on Wednesday, when the box was installed, it had already been filled and emptied the same day.
“It feels pretty good to know it happened,” he said. “It’s pretty exciting.”
“It’s a wonderful community project,” his mother said. “I think it’s great that he wants to give back to the community by helping the four-legged friends. It’s also wonderful that the YMCA is letting him put it here next to the blessing box.”
According to Wendy Reed, her son knew how much the blessing box next to Crosspoint Community Church is used, so she understood that people would need assistance feeding their pets, as well.
“By talking to Patti here at the YMCA, we know this blessing box stays empty,” she said. “So, we knew there was a need. The box isn’t there to feed your dog for a month, but we hope that it can give you the food you need in the interim.”
Patti Clark with the YMCA, said she was happy to have the box on site.
“He told me the reason he wanted to start this project is because he knows how much his dog gives him comfort,” she said. “His mom had made the comment that she has heard someone say, ‘well, if someone can’t afford food, they shouldn’t have an animal,’ but at the same time, there are people out there who are elderly or don’t have kids and are having a hard time. The animals give them comfort. So, it was an awesome idea for Dylan to do this. Our blessing box gets used a lot. Obviously, it’s a heavy trafficked area, so people can stop by and get what they need for their animals and their family members.”
Dylan Reed also said his pledge for the box is to fill it once per week for a year.
Dylan Reed said he is also collecting donations from elsewhere. Anyone interested in donating to Dylan can contact him at 606-375-1139 or Wendy Reed at 606-407-4176.
“We couldn’t do this without the community support,” Wendy Reed said. “If someone wants to donate and can’t make it, call us and we’ll come pick it up.”
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