Purina provides over 30 000 pounds of food

Nestlé Purina Pet Care Company has announced the success of its annual community service event, Purina Cares Day. The 24th annual event supported the community of St. Louis, which was recently hit by an tornado, as well as 33 other cities, according to the company's press release.

Every year, Purina invites its 15 000 employees nationwide to volunteer in their local communities. This initiative extends the company's commitment to building stronger, healthier communities and fostering deeper connections between people and pets.

This year, over 5 000 hours of volunteer work were completed, with relief efforts carried out in 34 US cities. Activities on Purina Cares Day ranged from supporting animal welfare and youth and veteran organisations to beautifying parks, landmarks, and community gardens.

Highlights of the day included:

- Purina partnered with the St. Louis Area Foodbank and the APA Adoption Centre to distribute food and supplies to people and pets in need at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis.

- Employees hosted a sports day at the Guardian Angel Settlement Association's early childhood education centre, helped prepare the summer camp programme at LitShop and assembled 50 bicycles for young people.

- Purina volunteers assembled 120 snack packs for homeless veterans participating in the Veterans Community Project, as well as 130 veterans with Pets kits for veterans who own a pet or have a PTSD service dog.

- Employees cleaned up riverbanks in the city centre and supported Forest ReLeaf of Missouri in their efforts to increase tree cover in urban communities. They also worked in community gardens to help create a healthier environment.

Employees also assembled over 1 000 new pet adoption kits, 400 pet enrichment toys, and 300 pet blankets. They also created 150 pet beds and custom pet ID tags to support local shelter pets.

- Purina partnered with Peter & Paul Community Services to help beautify their new homeless shelter, assembling over 2 000 care kits and 1 200 laundry kits containing essential everyday items.

In addition to these charitable activities, Purina donated over 50 000 US-dollars to tornado relief efforts in the St. Louis area, as well as organising a collection drive for those in need.