Seasonal pantry provides free pet food to Adams residents. Here’s how you can help … | Northern Berkshires

ADAMS — With winter coming and household expenses on the rise, Kathy “Skippy” Hynes and Tammy Baker are reaching out to pet owners who need a helping hand.

The two have opened a seasonal pet food pantry for people who live in Adams, Cheshire and Savoy.

The Adams Pet Food Pantry is collecting donations of wet and dry cat and dog food at Adams Town Hall and has already opened three times for distribution. No questions are asked of those asking for the pet food.

The next distribution date is Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the former Firehouse Café at 47 Park St. Hynes expressed gratitude to Bill Kolis, who owns the restaurant space.

Hynes and Baker will also deliver pet food by request to the Adams Council on Aging.

Hynes said she’s taken one emergency phone call for pet food and will make herself available to do so within a 48-hour window if people reach out to her by text or phone at 413-212-3527.

She estimates they’ve helped 20 to 25 pet owners who’ve learned about their efforts primarily through Facebook group postings.

The two understand the costs of owning pets, especially those with high needs. Together, they run a pet rescue in Adams called Got Spots Etc., which specializes in senior dogs.

“I’m more fortunate than a lot of folks,” Hynes said. “For so many people, their fuel assistance is on hold still. They’re trying to catch up from having not had SNAP for a while. And, you know, $15, $20 can mean the difference between getting some gas to get to work or paying something on their electric bill or their gas bill.”

And then there’s this: “I have a heart for the animals,” she said.

Hynes and Baker have run drives for pet food in the past, in response to hurricanes in the South, as recently as a year ago in response to Hurricane Helene in Asheville, N.C.

This is the first time they’ve decided to open a pet food pantry in Adams.

How did she decide to address this need in Adams?

First, there’s the issue of transportation and access. The closest pet food pantry is in Pittsfield at the Berkshire Humane Society.

“Adams is an older town,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of seniors in our town. It’s, I think, a lot more poor than a lot of towns, because we don’t have a lot of industry right here. From what I hear, rents are sky high.”

Hynes hopes that having this free supply of pet food will allow pets and their owners to remain together.

“You don’t want any more animals having to lose their home because people can’t afford to feed them,” she said. “The priority, the goal is, and I think it’s the goal with any organization — keep the animal in the home where they’re happy, and if you have to supply food, then, come on, get some food.”

Hynes hopes to keep it going as long as possible.

“If we can get through February, that would be great,” she said.