Local Pet Food Pantry Aims to Help Families, Asks for Donations at "Dawgs 4 Paws" Event
Dawgs 4 Paws aims to help ease the financial strain of feeding pets through a fundraiser in Alton. Learn how the pantry supports owners in need and what families can expect at the event at St. Paul’s.
Dogs for Paws supports Alton pet food pantry serving nearly 40 families a month
ALTON - The community can bring their pets out for a fun day in Alton while supporting a pet food pantry initiative.
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From 2–4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, The Episcopal Parish of Alton will host their third annual Dawgs 4 Paws at St. Paul’s in Alton. There will be vendors, a silent auction, live music, food, pet blessings, free rabies and distemper vaccines and more family- and pet-friendly fun. The goal is to raise money for the church’s pet food pantry, which supplies pet food to upwards of 40 families every month.
“A lot of people will feed their pets before they feed themselves when they are in need or when things get tight or whatever the situation is,” said Father Garron Daniels. “Our hope is that we can alleviate that by providing pet food for those dogs and cats.”
The Dawgs 4 Paws event will feature 14 pet-themed vendors and a silent auction. The parish’s men’s group will sell hotdogs, and live music will round out the day.
People are encouraged to bring their leashed animals. Fr. Daniels will offer pet blessings in honor of the Feast of St. Francis.
Great Rivers Animal Hospital will provide free rabies and distemper vaccines for animals onsite. Madison County Animal Care and Control will also give out dog tags.
Attendees are asked to donate to the 4Paws Pet Food Pantry. This pantry provides a month’s supply of pet food and treats to owners in need, no questions asked. The pantry is open from 12:30–1:30 p.m. on the first Sunday of each month at St. Paul’s.
Fr. Daniels explained that the pet food pantry aims to keep pets in their homes and alleviate the financial strain on families. He hopes many people come out to the Dawgs 4 Paws event to support their work.
“The whole purpose, again, is to raise awareness and raise funds for our pet food pantry,” Fr. Daniels said. “We run into so many situations where someone is retired, on a fixed income, and all of a sudden some big medical expense happens to them. It’s like, ‘Well, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to buy my groceries next week, let alone feed my pet.’ What choice do you have? Either feed your pet or put your pet up to be adopted somewhere else or in a shelter. That doesn't help anyone’s situation.”
He added that it takes a lot of money and manpower to keep the pantry running, and anyone is welcome to volunteer, donate or otherwise support the initiative. Dawgs 4 Paws on Oct. 3 will be a fun way to bring people and pets together while building up the pantry’s ability to help more families.
“We invite people, their families, their friends, their pets as well to enjoy the festivities,” Fr. Daniels said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
For more information about Dawgs 4 Paws, visit the official Facebook event page or click here. To learn more about the Episcopal Parish of Alton and their work, check out their official website or Facebook page.
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