It’s hard to believe that seven years ago, the first annual Pet Food Drive for Lakewood was started. The annual pet food fundraiser continues every November at the Albertsons on Steilacoom Blvd. The last food drive in 2009 brought a few thousand pounds and $230 for the purchase of pet food. The food was distributed to families though the Woodbrook Family Support Center and through St. Leo’s mobile food bank at McChord Gate. The original food drive in 2002 was so successful that an emergency pet food bank to be utilized in the event of a disaster was started in Lakewood. The emergency pet food is stored with the city and managed by Lakewood Animal Control. Unfortunately, this year’s fundraiser did not generate enough food for rotation of the pet food stock. PetCo will be collecting canned cat and dog food for the entire month of January to support the emergency pet food bank. Food can be purchased at PetCo and placed in the appropriate collection barrel at the front of the store. For ways to support the animals of our community through this fundraiser please contact: Patty Rusnak at prusnakjg@comcast.net.