Rocky’s helps pets with food drive

Launching its third annual Holiday Pet Food Drive, Springfield, Mass.-based Rocky’s Ace Hardware teamed with Nutro Pet Foods to help homeless and abandoned pets. The drive runs now through Dec. 23. 

Each of the 32 Rocky’s Ace Hardware stores have partnered with an area Humane Society or Shelter to collect food this Holiday Season for the much forgotten and unfortunate animals in our own community.

“The drive has become an annual tradition here at Rocky’s. It’s a fantastic opportunity for concerned individuals to help innocent animals without having to make a separate trip to their area Animal Shelter or Humane Society,” said Rocco Falcone, president and CEO.

Here is how the program works: Customers make donations of much needed pet food at their local Rocky’s Ace Hardware store, specially marked signs and a collection basket will guide customers to the collection area. The stores, will then in turn collect all donations and drive them to their locally chosen charity. Nutro Pet Foods has partnered with Rocky’s in donating more than $1,500 worth of premium dog and cat food to kickstart the program. Donations will be delivered directly to the Shelter or Humane Society on or about Dec. 24, 2013.

Last year, the second annual pet food drive resulted in more than 6,500 pounds of food and many toys, pet beds and other needed accessories being donated to a long list of worthy humane societies and animal shelters. “This year our drive has been lengthened by one week. Every year we increase the amount donated, thereby helping even more neglected animals. Still, this year we will strive to surpass last years’ collection,” said Geoffrey Webb, director of marketing.

Earlier this year, Rocky’s accepted the HCN 2013 Retailer of the Year Award from HCN during the Golden Hammer Awards ceremony in Las Vegas.