February is here, and love is in the air—especially for our four-legged friends! This month, we’re thrilled to kick off our annual Paws for a Cause campaign to celebrate National Love Your Pet Day (February 20) and support the Furry Friends Food Bank (FFFB).

Over the past two years, generous supporters like you have raised over $30,000, ensuring that pets and their owners remain healthy and happy together. As the only program at Eastern Area Agency on Aging that isn't state or federally funded, FFFB relies entirely on the compassion and generosity of donors like you to keep this vital service running.

Social isolation poses significant health risks, including increased chances of heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. In rural areas of Maine, where access to services and social opportunities is limited, older adults are particularly vulnerable to loneliness.

Pets provide essential companionship, helping to alleviate feelings of isolation and improving overall well-being. By supporting FFFB, you're not just feeding pets; you're fostering meaningful connections that enhance the quality of life for both animals and their owners. However, don’t take our word for it. Here is a reminder from those who benefit most from the program:

This year we want you to think of your gift as if you’re sponsoring a pet on our program. We aim to fund a year’s worth of food for 28 pets for the 28 days of February. For every $500 raised, we provide a year’s worth of food for one beloved pet, keeping tails wagging and bellies and hearts full.

As a thank you to our donors, when you donate $50 or more (one month’s worth of pet food), we’ll send you a special Furry Friends Food Bank Supporter refrigerator magnet as a token of our appreciation—so you can proudly show your love for pets in need!

Before you donate, be sure to see how your donation impacts our work and get to know a couple of our program recipients who can keep their pets home thanks to this program.