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Home / Blog / FoodShare Pantry – September 25

FoodShare Pantry – September 25

Free Pet Food Pantry in Martinez, CA

Thank you to everyone who supported Joybound’s free pet food distribution at the Contra Costa County Probation Department‘s Community Outreach event in on Friday, September 25. These community events are an integral part of our mission to keep beloved pets with the families who love them, and out of crowded shelters.

A tan dog on a harness eats food from the pavement while a crouching woman in a tie-dye shirt and a man holding a green bag stand beside it, with parked vans in the background.
860+

pounds of pet food & litter distributed

Through Joybound’s Community Solutions program, Contra Costa County pet guardians can receive a variety of resources from our Pet Safety Net, including free pet food at FoodShare events like this, affordable veterinary care through Community Veterinary Care, low-cost spay/neuter surgeries at Joybound’s clinic and partner clinics, free pet vaccines and microchips, grief support at our free Pet Loss Support Meetings, and connections to helpful resources through our Resource Center.

Text graphic displaying the phrase "UNLEASH HAPPINESS" in bold purple letters against a black background. The letters are outlined, creating a layered visual effect.
  • A yellow Joybound van is parked beside a food distribution table with volunteers and supplies, with a white van and shopping cart in the background.
  • Volunteers and shoppers stand beside tables of pantry supplies in a parking lot, with a white van and parked vehicles in the background.
  • A woman sits behind a table with a laptop and stacks of packaged diapers, with a sign for the Gemma Project on the front and a building entrance in the background.
  • Three volunteers stand at a purple-covered table with bags of food supplies, while a woman in a tie-dye shirt arranges items in a parking lot.
  • Two people stand beside a purple Joybound People & Pets table with pet food and supplies arranged on top, in front of a branded vehicle parked outdoors.
  • A woman with red hair stands on a sidewalk holding a leash as a tan dog in a red harness walks toward the camera, with a bicycle, trees, and parked cars in the background.
  • A black puppy lies on a red blanket beside a worn backpack on an outdoor pavement, with folding tables and chairs in the background.
  • A man holding a green bag walks beside a tan dog in a harness, with volunteers and an open van at an outdoor FoodShare Pantry event.
  • An older man in a plaid shirt and cap stands beside a purple-covered table with assorted food donations and bags, with people and vehicles outside a building in the background.

Thank You to Our Partners

This FoodShare distribution day was made possible through our partnerships with the Contra Costa County Probation Department, as well as our FoodShare sponsor, Purina, who donates thousands of pounds of pet food and litter to Joybound for shelter animals and community pets.

Questions?

If you have any questions about Joybound’s FoodShare pantry, please contact our Community Solutions team.

FoodShare FAQs

Who qualifies for free pet food from Joybound’s FoodShare pantry?

Free pet food at Joybound’s FoodShare pantry is available to pet guardians who live in Contra Costa County and are at least 18 years of age. Please have proof of Contra Costa County residency ready and available at the clinic – digital proof on your smart phone is accepted as well!

How can I prove my Contra Costa County residency for free pet food?

The following are acceptable for proof of residency:

  • Driver’s license or government ID (not a student ID) 
  • Utility bill, lease, or letter with a Counta Costa County address and name that matches photo ID 

You can provide this information on your smart phone as well! 

If you do not have an acceptable ID available, please flag a staff member or volunteer to confirm. You may be rerouted to the Community Solutions table for resources on other pet food resources that align with your geographic location or do not have county-based restrictions.   

What do I need to bring to the FoodShare pantry event?

In addition to bringing proof of Contra Costa County residency, please bring a bag to carry your bags of pet food. Joybound recommends a tote, a grocery bag, or something of a similar size.

You do not need to bring your pet to the FoodShare pantry event to receive food.

Where and when are Joybound’s FoodShare pantry events held?

Joybound’s FoodShare pantry events are held every month in rotating locations across Contra Costa County, in tandem with our free pet vaccine and microchip clinics. Generally, the events are held on the second Saturday of the month, but that date may change due to scheduling conflicts on the side of Joybound or the venue. Additional FoodShare pantry dates may be offered directly through Joybound or in conjunction with local community support events.

What kind of pet food is offered at Joybound’s FoodShare pantry event?

Thanks to our partnership with Purina, Joybound’s FoodShare pantry distributes dry Purina dog food and dry Purina cat food to pet guardians. Additional food donated by individual donors may be offered based on availability but cannot be guaranteed. This includes wet/canned food. Unfortunately, special pet food requests and prescription food cannot be provided.

How much pet food will I receive from Joybound’s FoodShare pantry?

The general guidelines for how much food distributed at a FoodShare pantry event are:

  • One bag of cat food per two cats, with a maximum of two bags per household. Each bag of cat food typically weighs around 6 lbs. 
  • Two bags of dog food per dog, with a maximum of four bags per household. Each bag of dog food typically weighs around 4 lbs. 

These distribution amounts may vary depending on our inventory at the time of the event. Guests cannot get back in line multiple times for more food at the same FoodShare pantry event

Do I need to make an appointment to receive food from Joybound’s FoodShare pantry?

Appointments are not needed at Joybound’s FoodShare pantry events. These services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis for as long as supplies last.

If I am picking up pet food as part of a free pet vaccine & microchip clinic, do I need to wait in the vaccine line?

If you are attending a FoodShare event held in tandem with a free pet vaccine and microchip clinic, you will find that there is only one line until the start time of the clinic. After the clinic opens, you will be redirected to the Community Solutions table for pet food.

Am I guaranteed to receive food if I visit a FoodShare pantry event?

As our free pet food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, we cannot guarantee that our inventory will last until the scheduled end of the FoodShare pantry event. To maximize your chances of being served, we recommend arriving on the earlier side if possible.

Does Joybound’s FoodShare pantry also provide kitty litter?

We cannot guarantee that kitty litter will be available at Joybound’s FoodShare pantry events. However, on rare occasions we may have some available, depending on supplies.

Am I allowed to pick up free pet food on behalf of someone else?

If you need to pick up pet food for another party (family member, neighbor, friend, etc.) at Joybound’s FoodShare pantry, we can accommodate that.

Please note that you and the person you are picking up food for must both be Contra Costa County residents and the household limit of two bags of cat food and four bags of dog food applies to the whole pickup. Guests cannot get back in line multiple times for more food at the same FoodShare pantry event.

Will Joybound’s FoodShare pantry event be cancelled due to poor weather?

Due to the importance of these FoodShare pantry events, as well as community demand, services will continue – rain or shine. During potentially dangerous weather conditions (lightning, heavy wind, etc.), please check Joybound’s social media accounts for updates on the status of the upcoming clinic event.

Can I pick up free pet food directly at Joybound’s Walnut Creek headquarters?

Joybound’s FoodShare pantry has transitioned away from direct distribution at our Walnut Creek facility in favor of strengthening our partnerships with community-based organizations to get pet food to more families in need. Unless there is a scheduled FoodShare pantry event onsite or you have directly heard otherwise from a member of our team, pet food will not be distributed at our Walnut Creek headquarters.

Where does the funding / resources for Joybound’s FoodShare pantry come from?

Joybound’s FoodShare pantry is made possible through a partnership with Purina, who generously provides high-quality pet food for Contra Costa County pets as well as for Joybound’s shelter animals. Joybound also reserves a portion of its budget, funded through the generosity of donors, to purchase food to supplement the FoodShare stock whenever necessary. Unlike our free pet vaccine and microchip clinics, Joybound’s FoodShare pantry is not funded by Contra Costa County’s Measure X.

Where can I get free pet food if I am not a Contra Costa County resident?

There are a variety of incredible organizations across Northern California who can help pet guardians outside of Contra Costa County. Please visit our “Pet Food Resources” list to find a provider near you.

General Joybound FAQs

Where is Joybound located?

Joybound’s national headquarters and primary adoption center are located at 2890 Mitchell Drive, in Walnut Creek, California.

The Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center is located at 1950 Market Street, Suite I, in Concord, California.

What kind of shelter or rescue is Joybound?

Joybound People & Pets (formerly the Animal Rescue Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization founded in 1991 to rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded municipal shelters and strengthen the human-animal bond for children, seniors, Veterans, and people in need. Read about our unique dual mission and origin story.

Our team is committed to finding homes for all healthy and treatable dogs and cats in our care. Animals with treatable medical or behavioral conditions are evaluated and cared for prior to rehoming them. Learn more about these classifications by reviewing Maddie’s Fund’s Health & Behavior Categories for Shelter Animals. Potential adopters are provided with all health and behavior history during their time at Joybound. 

Can I surrender an animal to Joybound?

We rescue dogs and cats from overcrowded or under-resourced municipal shelters. We do not accept surrenders from the public. If you feel unable to continue caring for your pet, please contact our Resource Center or read about rehoming a pet. 

If you adopted from Joybound, our team is here to support you through the difficult decision to return your companion. Please read our adoption return policy. 

How is Joybound funded?

We are a non-profit organization funded by private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Our complete financial information is available here. Joybound is a registered charity in all 50 states.

Does Joybound offer programs for children?

From birthday parties to animal-themed camps, we have a wide variety of programs to help nurture the next generation of animal-lovers.

Does Joybound offer advice on caring for a pet?

The Pet Care and Behavior Library is filled with helpful information on pet care, solutions for common behavior challenges, training tips, and more. 

If you do not see a certain topic covered, please contact the Resource Center for guidance.

Does Joybound offer veterinary services?

Animals in our adoption program are given veterinary care at our state-of-the-art clinic, but we do not provide primary veterinary services to the public.

Limited services are available for low-cost spay and neuter, dental cleaning services, end-of-life services, veterinary assistance programs for low-income pet guardians, and wellness veterinary care for Veterans’ pets. Explore veterinary assistance options.

Will Joybound help fund my organization or project?

We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, relying solely upon donations to fund our programs. We are not a granting organization and do not accept solicitations for funding. 

Upcoming Community Solutions Events

Here is a look at our upcoming Community Solutions events, where we offer free or low-cost services to Contra Costa County pet guardians. Services at Joybound’s Community Solutions events are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage guests to arrive early if possible.

View Calendar

More Joybound Happenings

We feed our animals high-quality Purina pet food.

You can find all our adorable, adoptable animals on Petfinder.

We’re a proud recipient of funding from the Engelstad Foundation.

The ASPCA logo features the letters 'ASPCA' in bold gray with the letter 'P' highlighted in orange. This logo represents the organization's mission to protect animals. Related to the Joybound Strategic Plan, it emphasizes their goals in the Impact Report 2024-2025.

We’re honored to elevate animal wellness alongside the ASPCA.

Logo of VCA Animal Hospitals featuring the letters ‘vca’ in blue and the words ‘animal hospitals’ in a smaller font below. The logo includes a colorful diamond shape in turquoise, orange, and purple on the upper right side.

VCA’s expert care heals pets and Joybound shelter animals alike.

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