The Marblehead Animal Shelter’s annual food drive is marking a special milestone this year: its 10th year of helping feed and care for the town’s most vulnerable felines. Since around 2015, the food drive has become a staple of community generosity, reminding residents how small acts of kindness can make a big difference for homeless cats.
The shelter, run entirely by volunteers, depends heavily on the compassion of residents.
“It means a lot to our shelter because we’re an all-volunteer group, and we depend on the community,” said Christine Koretz, who helps organize the drive. “All the people who donate are just regular folks who shop at stores and are very generous. It’s a simple way for people to help homeless cats — and when they see the donation bin filling up, it’s encouraging.”
For many, the food drive represents more than just restocking shelves — it’s a symbol of Marblehead’s community spirit and shared care for animals in need.
Each year, the shelter works closely with local stores such as Petco and Stop & Shop, which help host collection bins and encourage shoppers to donate canned or dry cat food. While not formal partnerships, these collaborations have proven mutually beneficial.
“It helps promote their business, certainly,” Koretz explained, “but it also allows them to give back to the community. Both companies have been supporting us for years.”
These local relationships reflect a broader tradition of community-oriented business in Marblehead, where companies large and small often lend a helping hand to local causes.
The shelter itself is currently near capacity, with most of its cages full and even the “ISO room” — where cats are prepared for adoption — brimming with new arrivals.
“It’s pretty full right now,” Koretz said, “but that just means there are more lives we get to help.”
Every can of food collected helps sustain the shelter’s operations, allowing volunteers to focus their efforts on rescuing, treating, and rehoming cats that might otherwise go hungry or homeless.
As the food drive enters its second decade, the Marblehead Animal Shelter continues to rely on the goodwill of residents to keep tails wagging and purrs humming.
“It’s certainly worthwhile,” Koretz added, “helping homeless kitties and keeping our shelter running strong.”
Donations of canned or dry cat food can be dropped off at participating local stores throughout the season. The shelter encourages everyone to give what they can — because, in Marblehead, even small acts of generosity go a long way toward making a big difference for animals in need.
Marblehead Animal Shelter is looking for:
- Pate style wet food for kittens (no fish please)
- Dry food for kittens
- Wet and dry food for adult cats
- Meat flavored baby food (Gerber’s 2nds).
Drop off locations:
- Marblehead Animal Shelter: 44 Village St.
- PETCO: 419 Paradise Road, Swampscott
- Stop & Shop: 224 Elliott St., Beverly
