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"There's no food pantry here in Madison" for pets, Schloemer
said. "It is very, very rare that they have food for pets." Schloemer first called her veterinarian, Dr. Pam Mache of Cats Here,
Dogs There Veterinary Clinic on South Fish Hatchery Road, who supplied her with
dry food and meat on two occasions. She then called MadCat Pet Supplies on Mineral Point Road and it
furnished her with four 20-pound bags of Science Diet. "That's how I came about the food pantry because of my own
experiences," said Schloemer, who has worked for the state Department of
Transportation for 22 years. "It's pretty rough when you don't have money and things come
up," said Schloemer, whose financial woes started with a car accident and
some other problems she'd rather not have publicized. A few months ago, when she got back on her feet financially, she worked
out a deal with two local pet stores to donate food, which in turn Schloemer
brings every Friday to House of Hope church at 1017 Applegate Road, which is one
block east of the Hummer dealership on the Beltline. Through donations from MadCat Pet Supplies and Pet World Warehouse on
the Beltline, Schloemer is able to procure some 250 pounds - or a station wagon
full - of dog and cat food each week. George Tourville, the stock manager at Pet World Warehouse, said there
are a half dozen different pet houses or foundations that come to the store
looking for old food or surplus food. The store gives out $500 to $1,000 worth
of extra food once or twice a week. "We are a store that is moving product and we like to have room in
our warehouse so if there is expired food piling up, we like to get rid of it as
soon as possible." Most of the food goes to feed stray or homeless animals, not to people
who are feeding pets. "There are a great number of animals out there that need homes -
people have cast them aside - and somebody's got to take care of them,"
Tourville said. Schloemer's project is unique in that she concentrates on people who are
struggling to feed their pets. "The pet food is going very fast. I can't even tell you," said
Stu Click, who with his wife, Brenda Click, serves as pastor at the House of
Hope. The Clicks incorporated the free pet food into their regular food
pantry, which is available to families on Friday nights and serves 1,500
families a month. "I think it's pretty unique. Sharynn has a heart for animals so I
think it is a real blessing here," Stu Click said. When he tells people about the recent pet food addition, people usually
say, "What?" "But it makes a lot of sense, it really does,"
he said. People food too: Click said people would be surprised if they discovered the types of
people who take advantage of the church's pantry. "You can't really judge a book by its cover. You never know what
people are going through. We all go through hard times. I've gone through hard
times," he said. It's difficult for some people to admit they are in need, Click said.
"It's a humbling experience to have to go to a food pantry. We try for it
not to be humbling here." The church goes out in the community every week with its food trucks and
lately people have been waiting in line at the food sites, he said. Every Saturday at noon for the last two years, the Clicks have gone to
Lincoln Elementary School on the city's south side to deliver food. Recently
they served 120 households at that site alone. They bring pet food along to the
site, but a limited amount. The Clicks also go to Allied Drive with their mobile pantry (at noon the
first and third Tuesday of the month on Jenewein Road). Starting Aug. 7, they're
going to branch out to Northport Drive on the first and third Saturdays of the
month. For more information, call 441-1500. Those who are served at Allied won't be getting pet food just yet, but
the Clicks intend to eventually start including pet food with their loads. People who come to the church at 6 p.m. Friday also get a hot meal. In
addition, they find live music and an area of free clothing. "It's a lot of fun. There's a pretty relaxed atmosphere. We try to
make it a big family," Click said. The pantry is not like an emergency food pantry, so people can choose
their own items. They get 20 pounds of food, including canned goods, noodles,
produce, meats, cheese and peanut butter. Click said they go through about 100,000 pounds of food a month. He's
amazed at the need in the community. "It's sad." My God Shall Supply All My Needs… …Abundance that will overflow to many needy families! **Remember, House of
Hope is a Non-Profit organization; all proceeds go to feeding, clothing the
poor, and the needs of the truck maintenance at this point.
When we get a facility, some will go for that.
We are also a Wisconsin Corp, called House of Hope, Inc., and approved by
the Federal IRS as an official “501<c>3” organization.
See the approval on our www site. This
means all your contributions may be tax deductible. All
money donations are recorded, and a statement will be emailed or mailed prior to
Jan 15, 2003 for your records. If
you have given clothing, or other items and wish a statement emailed or mailed
to you, please email your address to stuart@hopecity.org
and a generalization of the items you have given.
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