Fred Meyer is stepping up for local animal welfare with its seasonal “HOWL‑O‑WEEN” pet food drive. Starting now and running through the end of October, donation drop boxes have been placed near the entrances of the retailer’s Bend and Redmond locations.
How the drive works
All items gathered at the Redmond store will be shipped to the Humane Society of the Ochocos, while contributions collected at the Bend store will be delivered to the Bright Side Animal Center. Both organizations serve the surrounding Central Oregon community, providing shelter, medical care and adoption services for countless dogs and cats.
Corporate outreach with a local focus
“Our initiative is zero hunger, zero waste,” said Tiffany Sanders, head of public affairs at Fred Meyer. “We’re trying to end hunger in the communities where we operate. That doesn’t mean we’re only helping people – we also want to make sure the pets in our neighborhoods are fed and cared for.” The drive is part of Fred Meyer’s broader corporate outreach program, which emphasizes local partnerships and community‑based assistance.
What shelters need
Bright Side Animal Center representative Savanah Stephenson explained that the shelters welcome a wide range of items. “The essentials are definitely appreciated – food, toys, dog beds, treats – are wonderful. We’ll put all of that to good use for the animals,” she said.
Both shelters also accept other care items such as leashes, grooming supplies and cleaning products, helping them keep facilities safe and comfortable for residents and volunteers.
How to contribute
Customers can drop off unopened bags of pet food, canned meals, dry kibble, treats, toys, blankets, and other supplies at the marked boxes. Volunteers from the shelters will collect the donations each week and transport them to the respective facilities.
Fred Meyer encourages shoppers to bring what they can, noting that even small contributions add up quickly when the community works together.
Why it matters
Pet overpopulation and homelessness remain pressing issues in Central Oregon. By supporting local shelters, Fred Meyer helps reduce the strain on limited resources, improves animal health outcomes, and increases the chances that more pets will find permanent homes.
The HOWL‑O‑WEEN drive also aligns with broader community values of stewardship, compassion and responsible pet ownership – principles that many families in Bend and Redmond hold dear.
Looking ahead
Fred Meyer plans to evaluate the success of the drive after October and consider expanding similar initiatives to other stores in the region. The retailer hopes the effort will inspire other businesses and residents to join in future charitable projects.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
