Singer John Legend has helped unveil a new food pantry in a California town meant to help pets whose owners are experiencing homelessness.
The Long Beach multi-service center serves the homeless population in the city, providing medical services, employment assistance and more.But there's a major need out there many may not realize: the pets also living on the streets. The center will now offer free pet food to homeless people who have furry companions.
Paul Duncan, bureau manager of homeless services says they see alot of people with pets and some people feel it's inappropriate for the homeless to have pets that need to be fed and cared for.
"It's a very important part of people's lives. We know that it provides a sense of well-being, it provides unconditional love. So being able to provide support for those pets is being able to provide support for the person that's attached to that pet as well." The pantry is stocked with Kismet foods, a pet brand co-founded by John Legend.
"When we think about people who are experiencing homelessness, a lot of times they are thought of as a problem or as an eyesore or something that is a blight on the city," the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter said. "But they're human beings and they need love, they need care and they need all the help we can afford to give them. And one of the things that helps them so much is having their little fur friends.
Well known veterinarian Dr. Kwane Stewart is also involved to provide free medical care to pets living on the streets.
"We wanted to create the best dog food on the market and then also provide welfare for some of the neediest pets out there," Stewart said.
Photo: Dima Berlin / iStock / Getty Images