Saving Grace Pet Food Bank helps struggling Naples families keep their pets fed

A fluffy little chihuahua named Grace is the reason a Naples nonprofit now feeds hundreds of local pets every year.Grace was found dumped in Miami before being adopted by Naples resident Vici Nadvit. Nadvit said she kept wondering how anyone could abandon a dog so sweet and eventually realized the answer might be financial.”It’s a shame that we don’t have something like Harry Chapin for pets, and it took me about two days, and I’m like, I’m going to do it. I’m going to start it, I’m going to do it. And we named it Saving Grace,” Nadvit said.In 2017, she turned her own apartment into a pet food bank. Racks of donated food filled her dining room from floor to ceiling. She spent hours bagging food and preparing supplies for anyone who needed help.After Hurricane Irma, the need grew. Families were struggling, and one extra mouth to feed made things harder.Saving Grace eventually moved into its own small space at 938A 4th Avenue North in downtown Naples, where it continues to operate entirely on donations. Pet stores donate bags and cans of food when brands change or extra inventory becomes available. Community members also drop off food or donate money.Nadvit and her business partner — and close friend — Sam DeAngelis don’t take a salary. They run the food bank entirely on their own, while Nadvit still works her regular job. They even shut down their website because it became too expensive to maintain, saying they want every dollar to go directly toward pet food.Nadvit said the mission is simple: make sure no one has to choose between feeding themselves or their pets.”Our mission is to provide food for families so that they can keep the promise that they made to their pets to love them forever. You know, they don’t have to go to the shelter,” she said.Saving Grace is open every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Anyone needing help can fill out a short form with details about their pet, including allergies or dietary needs. The group prefers pets to be spayed or neutered, or in the process.For many families, the help makes a major difference.”I love it. It’s really been a great help,” said Eddy Stratford, a customer at the food bank. “I substitute teach, I’m a veteran … and it’s Naples. It’s hard to make that much money unless you’re really wealthy here. So it’s a great help for me.”During the recent government shutdown, Nadvit said she saw an influx of customers, including people on SNAP benefits who couldn’t afford pet food.The rising cost of pet supplies has also brought more people through the doors.”Absolutely. This is a great place, and I know the prices of pet food have gone up, way up,” said customer Iris Fass.Nadvit said her favorite part of the job is seeing the pets she’s come to know and knowing she’s helping families stay together. To reach Vici Nadvit or Sam DeAngelis for donations or more information, you can call 239-594-0909. Their P.O. Box is 110095, Naples, FL 34108.They’ll also be hosting their next event at Hollywood Feed for Santa Claus photos and donations on Dec. 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

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