What began as an effort to support animal rescues and food banks has grown into a lifeline for pet owners facing financial hardship, but the future of the organization is increasingly uncertain.
Paw it Forward, a volunteer-run, home-based pet pantry, was founded by Valley Stream resident Danielle Scala in 2016 and provides temporary assistance to pet owners who are struggling to afford food for their dogs and cats. Operating from Scala’s home, the pantry distributes dog food, cat food, treats and cat litter to help families keep their pets during difficult times.
“It has been the hardest to purchase most food items, and pet food is no exception,” Scala said. “Prices have gone sky high. It breaks our hearts hearing the hardships that people come and tell us that they can’t feed their pets.”
Paw it Forward’s mission differs from that of many traditional food pantries. Rather than providing long-term assistance, the organization offers short-term support. It encourages recipients to “paw it forward” by donating back to the pantry when their circumstances improve so that others can receive help.
The organization first operated as a resource for Long Island food banks and animal rescues, then expanded its efforts following the 2017 hurricanes. During those disasters, volunteers sent pet food, pet supplies, water and other necessities to affected areas, including Puerto Rico and North Carolina.
As the organization continued its work, Scala recognized a growing need closer to home.
Seeing local pet owners struggling to feed their animals, Paw it Forward shifted its focus to serving the community directly. In recent years, the organization has narrowed its mission to become more food-focused, concentrating on the items families need most as rising costs have made pet food increasingly unaffordable.
Today, the pantry distributes wet and dry dog food, wet and dry cat food, cat litter and treats through monthly distributions, while also responding to emergency requests when supplies and volunteers allow.
Over the years, Scala estimates the organization has helped hundreds of families. Volunteer Sandra Adelson-Seyfried, who became involved in 2022, said the pantry has helped more than 450 pets since 2023 based on distribution figures.
Keeping pets with their families remains the organization’s primary objective.
Rather than seeing owners surrender beloved animals because they cannot afford food, the pantry aims to provide temporary relief until families regain financial stability.
That mission has become increasingly challenging.
According to Scala, donations declined significantly from corporate and private sources as inflation has driven up the cost of pet food. While Paw it Forward continues to receive support from long-time community partners, including FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, Petco and PetOne Veterinary Hospital in Rockville Centre, the pantry has lost other corporate donors.
The decline in donations comes as demand remains steady.
The organization is particularly in need of cat food, although donations of all brands of wet and dry dog and cat food, cat litter and treats are accepted. It also accepts cleaning supplies, paper towels and 39-gallon garbage bags used to operate the pantry.
Volunteers have also become increasingly difficult to recruit and retain.
Scala, whose health has declined since founding the organization and who is now physically disabled, said the pantry relies on volunteers to sort food, prepare monthly distributions and transport donated supplies. The organization especially needs volunteers with reliable vehicles who can pick up donations and help load and unload bags of food and litter.
Most volunteer shifts require only two to five hours per month, typically one weekday afternoon and one weekend afternoon, with schedules kept as flexible as possible.
“We love what we do, and we want to be able to continue to do this,” Scala said. “We realize that everyone has other time constraints in their lives, and if we could get a revolving crew of volunteers, it would be a huge blessing.”
Adelson-Seyfried knows firsthand how the dedication of volunteers makes the pantry possible.
She became involved after volunteering at a Paw it Forward block party in 2022, where she provided face painting and temporary tattoos. After enjoying the event, she expanded her role by handling many of the organization’s behind-the-scenes responsibilities, including creating flyers, managing social media posts, assisting with record keeping and helping wherever needed.
Although she also lives with physical disabilities, Adelson-Seyfried contributes in ways that fit her abilities, allowing Scala to focus on running the pantry.
Without additional volunteers and food donations, however, both women said Paw it Forward may not be able to continue operating.
“We need people power; we need the donations,” Adelson-Seyfried said. “With those two things, we will be able to help more people, and that’s what we want to do. We want to help people. That’s what our goal is.”
Community members can support the pantry by placing their donation at the collection bin outside 114 Clarendon Drive in Valley Stream, which is available Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. Those interested can also donate through the organization’s Amazon Wishlist.
Those interested in volunteering can contact volunteerpawitforward@gmail.com. Additional information is available on the organization’s Facebook group “Paw it Forward Pet Pantry, Long Island NY.”
