Easter Seals Food Pantry, Port Jervis, NY.
Just felt the need to express my thankfulness for the Caplan Bensley Foundation which has been outstanding in promoting pet health and welfare. Our organization has been the recipient of the Jazzy Dog food grant for two years and it was met with astounding applause from our pet friendly community. Port Jervis is in a low-income area and we serve mostly single parent households, the disabled, and the unemployed. These people are some of the kindest, loving, caring individuals I have had the pleasure of working with. Many of these households have dogs and take care of them the best ways they can. I have been doing the community outreach for ten years now and I always get requests for dog and cat food. When we received this grant, and began distributing the food, heartwarming stories came flooding in.
How they were able to keep their old dog fed and the children’s younger ones as well this also taught responsibility on how to take care of an animal, and this boosts in the budget allowing “Man’s best friend” to have proper nutrition to stay healthy and enjoy their lives with their families. Thank you for doing this much-needed service and allowing our organization to participate in it.
Gratefully - Barbara Kuczyra
Fishkill Food Pantry
Although we're new to the program, only a little over a month, our clients are having a very positive reaction to the Jazzy's Place Grant. Some of the comments we're hearing: "I'm so glad to have this dog food , I worry about my dog and feed them before myself.", Clients come in and ask about the dog food before they ask for their order. So far we've only been able to get dry dog food but are looking forward to getting canned in the near future. Thank you for providing such a caring service for dogs that otherwise might not eat regularly or nutritionally as well.
- Judith Van Nostrand
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North Main Street United Methodist Church Food Pantry, Gloversville NY # 1782F
When we heard that there would be a grant offered to our Pantry to feed the family dogs of our clients, we were overjoyed!!
During the three plus years since we have been open we have had many inquiries about this very thing. People were often desperate in their frequent inability to feed their dogs, otherwise known as their fur babies!! When we were asked to collect information about their dogs to be sent to the Regional Food Bank, they were so happy to oblige and excited at the prospect of receiving help with feeding their dogs. Some had been wrestling with the prospect of surrendering their dogs to a shelter.
The day came that the Pantry was open for our monthly distribution. Some people literally jumped for joy, like a little child would, when they spotted the dog food. And they were so thankful!! It is a true blessing that I am so happy to be part of. We currently are serving 25 to 30 pet families per month. Some families have more than one dog.
We ask God’s blessing on the wonderful Caplan-Bensley Foundation that gives us nourishment for our faithful companions. May your hearts be light as you continue to serve in Jazzy’s honor. - Judith A. Davis
Grace Episcopal Church – # 2233F
We, at Grace Episcopal Church would like to say a big, warm thank you to the Jazzy’s Place dog food program. Many of our neighbors are senior citizens and all they have left to love is their pet dog. With budgets decreasing, it has become more and more difficult to feed themselves, let alone their dog. Many neighbors in general forfeit medication in order to buy food for themselves to live or pay their rent.
That is where Jazzy’s Place comes in. By us being able to offer food to their dog, they become empowered knowing their best friend is going to be okay. Please understand in this particular population, loneliness is a crisis. In a way, you (Jazzy) are giving them life back. It is not their dog it is their reason to go on.
Thank you to the wonderful people behind Jazzy’s Place for bringing life back to our community.
- Co / Directors: Patricia Rennish, Anita Gawronski
Franklin Community Center Food Pantry -- # 1827F
We at Franklin Community Center Food Pantry would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the dog food that the Jazzy’s Place Grant provides for the families we serve. Research suggests that our furry friends are good for our physical health, mental health and general well-being. To be greeted by our tail wagging pets with unconditional love actually reduces the stress our consumers struggle with on a daily basis. Not to mention the added health benefits exercise provides when they are walking and playing with their dogs. Thank you for not only helping us provide dog food for our consumer’s pets but also the added benefit of helping promote healthier lifestyles for those we serve!
Prior to receiving the Jazzy’s Place Grant we had an inconsistent supply of dog food but with the help of your grant we now always have dog food! We at Franklin understand the meaning and depth our trusted companions add to our lives, thank you so much for allowing us to provide much needed food for dogs who may have had to go hungry without your help. Our dog owners are always thrilled to discover that we have dog food. One of our consumer stated, “…I am on SSD and money is very tight and to be able to have this help now for my dogs is wonderful! Thank you for doing this and I hope this continues for a long time.”
Pond Eddy UMC Food Pantry -- # 2386F
The grant from Jazzy’s Place has been an enormous gift for our clients who own dogs.
Many of these folks are told that their pets are a luxury and should be given up when they fall on hard times, that precious resources shouldn’t be used to maintain animals in the home.
But for many of these families, their pets are members of their households, and no more expendable than any other family member. Some of these animals are companions to children, elderly, and folks with debilitating illnesses. Some are a second set of ears at night for people who live alone, or are single parents. And it is well-documented that caring for an animal as many psychological and physiological benefits, including reduced stress, anxiety, and depression; lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels; improved cardiovascular health; elevated levels of certain serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax; and the list goes on.
Because of society’s prejudice and narrow mindset, many of our clients have been hesitant about disclosing that they own pets, fearful that the assistance we give may be reduced or withdrawn. However, as they have come to understand that their pets are important to us too, we have been able to help more families care appropriately for their four-legged loved ones.
Without the Jazzy’s Place grant, this would not have been possible. - Margie Liebla
The Shepherd’s Pantry, White Lake, NY
The Shepherd’s Pantry in White Lake would like to offer our most sincerest of thanks to the Caplan family for their dedication in honoring their Jazzy and forming Jazzy’s Place. Each day we face families that are struggling to meet the day to day needs of life, providing shelter and food is a daily struggle. Jazzy’s Place has provided the opportunity for families to rest knowing their faithful and unconditional loving dogs will not have to be hungry but can rest with a full stomach and peaceful heart.
* God said I need somebody who would stand at your side when the world around you collapses. Somebody to lie next to you during the long nights of pain and sorrow when it hurts to move, or talk, or think, or be. Somebody to stand guard, play games, snore for hours, and repeat as needed. Somebody to give you strength when you have none of your own. Somebody to fight when you have no fight left, to hold onto your soul as if it were their favorite toy, playing tug of war to keep you in this world. Somebody to be your companion and guide in this world and the next. So God made a dog.
Jazzy’s grant enables us to order more food for the Fur-Babies in needy families. Prior to this we handed out dog food to 6 to 8 families who had approached us. This has opened the door to helping so many more. – Coralie Bloom
St James Food Pantry
I am new to Jazzy's Place, the feed back I'm getting from my clients is terrific. I've only serviced 3 or 4 families so far but word is getting around. One client was so thrilled to receive food for his dog that he brought her in to see us. She was huge and slightly under weight so the food we've provided is greatly appreciated by both! - Linda
Good Neighbor Food Pantry
Thank you so much for helping us feed the beloved pets of our patrons at the Good Neighbor food pantry. We depend on Jazzy to help us feed their “best friends”. We feed at least 2200 people per month and most families have pets. Because of the difficult economic circumstances they have an impossible time feeding the ones that love them unconditionally. Thank you the blessed grant. We hope to continue this relationship in the future.
Albany United Methodist Society, Albany, NY.
Here at Albany United Methodist Society we serve 25 families in our pantry with a total of 46 dogs. Month to month each family comes to us and receives enough dog food to last each dog a week. It’s extremely helpful to our guest, because as we well know a dog is more than a pet, he/she is a family member. As one of our guests stated, “I really needed this food for Gracie this week. I almost had to decide to either feed myself or her. I’m glad that’s no longer a decision I have to make. Thank you.” As you can see by this guest’s statement, the Jazzy’s Place dog food grant program is a welcomed and integral part of our communities need we sincerely thank you.
Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry, Sparrowbush, NY.
We are the Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry. Myself and our director would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the continued generosity of Jazzy’s Place. The Jazzy’s Place grant that the Caplan-Bensley Foundation have so generously supplied to the member Food Pantry’s of the Regional Food Bank NENY, has been a true gift. Our many clients that have benefited from this grant are truly grateful. Many of the recipients are our senior citizen clients. They are so relieved when we have the dog food available. This grant helps these clients to extend their (human) food money throughout the month. Food is so very expensive, as well as pet foods. By having the dog foods available, these clients can put the saved monies towards healthy foods for themselves, knowing that their loving companions (BFF’S Best Fury Friends) are also having a good meal.
This in itself is a great comfort to many of the recipients of your generosity. We, the
Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry cannot express our gratitude to you. We are so happy
to be able to provide dog food for our client’s pets, along with the healthy foods we
offer for themselves. We have had several clients leave with tears of joy in their eyes, due
to the fact that they know they will be able to provide a meal to their pups, when they get
home. It is a very gratifying satisfaction, knowing that we are able to provide this. However,
we would not be able to provide this service, if not for your Jazzy grant. We strive to provide
healthy food options for human clients, as we have limited funds for non-food items, this
grant is a wonderful addition to our pantry. We wish to extend ours, along with our clients
and their BFF’S gratitude for your continued generosity. We look forward to hopefully being
able to continue our relationship with Jazzy, allowing us to continue providing the much
needed and appreciated Dog Foods.
Wishing you all a wonderful upcoming season,
- Carol & Mischelle Eckes
Life Restoration -- # 2542F Ground Zero – the inner-city is where our mission in church stands – bringing some hope & light in the dark so far away from the world I knew. My middle-class world condemns not understanding a strong majestic creature that brings comfort and joy. It bowls so many living in condemned buildings with nothing not even cold water, but today they are partnered with these strong, peaceful loving dogs making their environment a wonderful place for it is shared with the beaten-down partners that these animals help heal ones that have no family home with no material possessions old newspapers as blankets and maybe some cardboard for beds. These dogs have warmth where there is not. They curl up with these partners and keep the nightmare of the next day from coming. They come to my mission and it seems so hard to comprehend this different world with different realities. Thank you Caplan Bensley foundation for the jazzy place dog food grant. They gave me a chance to share in the lives of these dogs with their partners in this so different world with some not many of the same realities. Our funds have run out with your so needed grant. I pray you consider us in your future
St. Francis of Assisi Food Pantry, Newburgh, NY
This program is VERY popular. We see lots of smiles from our clients! We have been distributing dog food every other week. There is a very large demand. The grant is very cost effective because we have been able to purchase all of the dog food from the Food Bank at sixteen cents a pound. At that price, we can get the maximum amount of food to the most people. But I expect the grant to be exhausted by December 31, 2013. Please tell the foundation that our clients are most grateful for the Jazzy’s Place program. It has helped alleviate the cost of taking care of their pets, and that leaves more money for the people. Thank you.
– John Yablonsky
Community Action of Greene County’ Inc.
Given the increasing housing costs in our community, in addition to food, electric, transportation etc., many families continue to struggle to make ends meet, and when personal finances tank, putting food on the table is challenging enough without adding a few furry faces to feed. Yet, it is when things are at their lowest point in one’s life that the true value and worth of a family pet often become crystal clear. As I provided a client with a bag of dog food, he shared with me that he contemplated suicide but actually changed his mind because he knew there was no one to take care of his dogs. He then smiled and told me “pets offer an unconditional love; like no other”.
The food pantry operated through Community Action of Greene County, Inc. is pleased to be a recipient of the Jazzy’s Place grant, offered through the Caplan–Bensley Foundation. The grant will permit the agency to provide dog food for Greene County families who are facing a hardship, allowing families to increase their ability to care for dog with the goal of keeping them out of shelters and with their families
- Barbara Palmateer
Cooperstown Food Pantry -- # 714 FP
The Cooperstown Food Pantry has had a very positive response to our new Jazzy’s Place dog food distribution program. In October 2015 we assisted 205 households – and 199 dogs. We had considered offering pet food to our clients in the past, but had concerns over the perception of our community donors that we were spending funds to feed animals when people were in need. The generosity of the Caplan-Bensley Foundation allows us to assure food pantry donors that their donations go entirely to feed people in need and has inspired us to create a similar program for cats “Wednesday’s Café” name for a volunteer’s cat Wednesday.
One of our very first clients assisted by Jazzy’s Place was a man struggling to hold his life together after a job loss. When offered dog food he broke down and cried – his family was pressuring him to give up his dog, which he struggled to feed. He shared with us “My dog is my best friend, I have had him for eight years and I will go hungry before he does, now we can both eat tonight”.
Thank you Caplan-Bensley Foundation for helping us to make an important difference in our community!
Reservoir Food Pantry - # 2539F Jazzy’s Place grant – dogs are where the heart is.
Here in Ulster County, many of our clients live a rural lifestyle. Many households naturally and typically, include a dog – often more than one! We have clients who’s sole companionship is their beloved fur-partner. So, it’s not surprising that when dog food is available in our pantry we see faces light up with genuine relief and gratitude. Dogs are much loved in our region and cherished members of hundreds of local households!
When dogs are not fed properly, vet bills, which might get compromised, may be on the horizon. Moreover, household stress will be exacerbated when a valued member of the family is not getting proper nutrition. So needless to say, when dog food is available, it goes extremely fast – not a crumb goes by the wayside! We know with full certainty when this need is fulfilled for dogs in our community, we’ll have a happier population around us. We sincerely hope to provide quality sustenance for these very important “extended shoppers”!
Thank you so very much, Jazzy’s Place dog food grant and the Caplan-Bensley Foundation!
Plattekill Food Pantry, Ulster County, Program -- # 2497F
The Plattekill Food Pantry is extremely appreciative for the generous funding by the Caplan-Bensley Foundation in the form of the Jazzy’s Place grant. Since we opened, we have received a number of requests for pet food from people who are struggling to feed the pets that are part of their families. Jazzy’s Place has provided us with the means to meet these requests and ease some of the burden these families face.
This is our first year with the Jazzy’s Place Grant, and in just a few short months we have been able to help a number of pets as a result of the program. The families we work with have been extremely grateful for this service, and it has helped our Pantry budget stretch farther.
This is just one example of a Jazzy’s Place Success Story in our pantry: Last week at our distribution, a woman came to us with a donation of dog food. We had provided her with dog food earlier in the year through the Jazzy’s Place grant and she explained that since we had helped her when she was in a difficult situation, she wanted to do the same for other families in need whenever she was able. What a wonderful tribute to Jazzy!
- Libbie Werlau
St. Charles Helping Hands Food Pantry
Jazzy’s Dog Food – smiles so BIG, tears of happiness like you wouldn’t believe!! You must remember that their dogs are true members of their family!! Please tell David and Maria Caplan that Jazzy’s Foundation is a TOTAL SUCCESS AT ST. CHARLES HELPING HANDS PANTRY IN GARDINER, NY.!!!!!! Jazzy is considered a “HERO” in Gardiner!!!
– Jean LeRose