LINCOLN SQUARE — Those looking for free and nutritious food for their pets can find it this weekend at the The Friendship Center, a Lincoln Square-based nonprofit and food pantry.
The center will host its monthly Friendship Pet Food Pantry 9-11 a.m. Saturday at 2711 W. Lawrence Ave. The pantry provides food for cats and dogs in addition to other items, including leashes, treats and kitty litter. It helps support pet owners who need a boost feeding their four-legged family members
All materials are donated by companies, local businesses or individual donors.
The pantry is open to all Chicago residents, with the amount of food provided depending on the size and number of pets you bring, according to pantry guidelines.
All pets must be spayed or neutered as well. Those visiting should bring proof their pet was spayed or neutered, in addition to personal identification, according to the guidelines.
The Friendship Center also supplies groceries to its clients during certain hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and fridays, with a hot meal distributed on Thursdays. More information about food distribution and volunteer opportunities is available on the Friendship Center website.
Operating since 2013, the Friendship Pet Food Pantry serves about 150 dogs and 300 cats a month, according to the Friendship Center’s website. It was founded by two volunteers who were inspired by similar pantries serving pets on the North Side. The pantry aims to help prevent pet owners from giving up their pets because they can’t afford food, Patch has reported.
After receiving more than 25,000 pounds of donated pet food, the pet pantry became a permanent fixture in the community and held its first pet food distribution event in fall 2013.
The Friendship Pet Food Pantry is typically open the third Saturday of every month, although December is an exception due to holiday-related events. Here are the 2025 dates for the Friendship Pet Food Pantry:
- Jan. 18
- Feb. 15
- March 15
- April 19
- May 17
- June 21
- July 29
- Aug. 16
- Sept. 20
- Oct. 18
- Nov. 15
- Dec. 13
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