Big Bear's volunteer pet food pantry keeps local pets fed between paychecks

When money runs short at the end of the month, pet food is often one of the first things to go. The Big Bear Community Pet Food Pantry exists to fill that gap — a free, no-application-required resource that hands out food to local dogs and cats twice a month from two churches in the valley. For mountain families living paycheck to paycheck, the pantry can be the difference between a fed pet and a hungry one.

"The food is not meant to keep the pets fed all month long," said Joyce Keeler, who now runs the organization alongside Pat Enyart. "It's a tide-me-over until the next paycheck comes in on the first."^[1]

How it started — and where it stands today

The pantry was founded just over five years ago by Peggy Blondiaux with support from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter^[1]. Early on, the partnership meant truckloads of donated food arriving regularly. That supply eventually dried up entirely. "We get no food from them," Keeler said. "It's strictly community-donated based."^[1]

Keeler joined the effort two months after it launched and worked alongside Blondiaux until Blondiaux's unexpected death in 2024^[1]. She has kept the pantry running since, calling the work "a very important thing for the community." Mary Lou King of Pause 4 Paws — a local spay, neuter, and vaccination program — has donated food to the pantry multiple times^[1].

At each giveaway, the pantry distributes approximately a couple hundred pounds of food, repackaged into gallon bags for dog families and quart bags for cat families, with treats and canned food included when available^[1]. "We try not to run out before the end of the time," Keeler said^[1].

When and where to pick up food

Giveaways are open to anyone — no paperwork required — at two locations each month^[1]:

• Fourth Tuesday, 9–11 a.m. — St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 42242 North Shore Drive, Big Bear City
• Fourth Thursday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. — Believers Chapel, 42180 Moonridge Road, Big Bear Lake

How to donate or volunteer

The pantry runs on what the community gives it. Pet food and treats can be dropped off at three valley businesses^[1]:

• Pampered Pets Grooming, 201 W. Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear City
• Get the Burger, 42151 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake
• Pine Knot Marina office, 439 Pine Knot Ave., Big Bear Lake

Supporters can also shop the pantry's Amazon Wishlist at amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/204R00HWKWNA (opens in a new tab), which lets donors purchase specific needed items or set up a recurring monthly subscription^[1]. Monetary donations are accepted through St. Joseph's and Believers Chapel — just designate the gift for pet food, and the churches will order supplies directly from their suppliers on the pantry's behalf^[1].

Volunteers who want to help hand out food at giveaway events can sign up by emailing petfoodbank1@gmail.com (opens in a new tab)^[1].