Bright Star Center provides nearly 6,000 pounds of free food for hundreds of pet owners who cannot afford it

As the economy worsens, more people are being forced to make tough choices regarding their limited budgets. Unfortunately, many pet owners are now making the agonizing choice of feeding their four-legged loved ones, or providing for other family essentials.

"Our pets are family members, companions, and confidants," said Cynthia Koppler, Program Administrator of Hospice of Health Firsts Bright Star Center for Grieving Children & Families. "They bring us comfort, joy and unconditional love. Yet sometimes we are forced to choose between feeding our pets and making ends meet."

In order to help, Hospice of Health Firsts Bright Star Center for Grieving Children & Families program has started The Bright Paws Pet Food Bank to help families unable to afford to feed their pets. "Every day Hospice of Health First sees the healing power our pets provide in difficult times. We are committed to supporting quality of life for all citizens, whether struggling with personal illness or personal finances," said Koppler.

The Hospice of Health First Bright Paws Pet Food Bank provides free pet food on the second Saturday of each month from 10 am until the food runs out at Hospice of Health First, 1900 Dairy Road, Melbourne.

The program is helping hundreds of families, and has already distributed nearly 6,000 pounds of food since March.

The volunteers assisting with the Pet Food Bank distribution are teenagers who participate in the Bright Star Center program, which is a program that helps teens deal with a loved ones death and the resulting grief. "As the teens are struggling with their own personal losses, this project provides a way they can help others in the community, which in turn helps with their own emotional renewal," said Koppler.

The pet food bank is the second Saturday of each month from 10 am until the food runs out at Hospice of Health First, 1900 Dairy Road, Melbourne. For more information, call 321-952-0494.

Hospice of Health First is a proud member of the Health First Family.