Nonprofit taking a bite out of pet food costs

As the cost of living continues to rise, many seniors are finding it difficult to feed their animals. Thankfully, one area nonprofit has been  working hard to keep pets’ bellies full. The group is called Don’t Forget to Feed Me and they distribute pet food through local agencies, including many area senior centers. 

Patti Chiaramonteis

It’s especially convenient for seniors, who can grab a bag full of kibble after they enjoy lunch and activities at the senior center. 

“There is a huge need for this assistance,” said Don’t Forget to Feed Me Executive Director Maria Koegl.  “There is actually a wait list of potential partners requesting pet food from us.”

The organization had distributed 12,230,585 pet meals to date and served 169,869 households when we spoke to them in Spring of 2025.

The nonprofit could not function without volunteers. Patti Chiaramonteis and her husband Joe have been involved with the program for years. In 2008, the couple moved from Chicago to Fort Worth.

“The economy was in a severe downturn, and the sight of pets being taken to shelters or abandoned because their owners could no longer afford to care for them was heart-wrenching,” said Patti.

Driven by their passion for animals, they were eager to find a way to give back to their new community and meet new people. 

“With typically three to four dogs in our pack at any given time, we knew we wanted to help but were wary of fostering due to our history of ‘foster failing’—falling in love with and adopting every dog we fostered.”

One day, they saw a television news piece on Don’t Forget to Feed Me. 

“We immediately knew this was the perfect opportunity for us to make a difference,” Patti said. “Throughout our 41 years of marriage, we have always had multiple dogs. They have been our companions through happy moments, sad times, and the most challenging periods of our lives. No matter what life throws at us, our dogs have a unique way of making us laugh with their silly antics and comforting us with their unconditional love. Their presence is a constant reminder of the blessings our creator has bestowed upon us.”

Patti said it is especially sad to see senior citizens forced to give up their pets or sacrifice their own food to feed their furry friends. 

“For many seniors, their pets are their only daily social interaction and source of comfort,” she said.

As volunteers for Don’t Forget to Feed Me, Patti and her husband Joe often pick up pet food donations and deliver them to the Don’t Forget to Feed Me warehouse, where the large bags of food are broken down into smaller bags. Those smaller gallon-size bags of pet food are then delivered to partnering distribution points – community centers, senior centers and more. 

“One of my most cherished experiences occurred while delivering pet food to one of our partners. A World War II veteran saw me unloading the food and approached me with his dog by his side. He thanked me for the delivery and shared his story. He had exhausted his savings over the years, and this pet food was the only way he could feed his beloved pup. His wife had passed away, leaving him and his dog as each other’s sole companions. His gratitude and validation of our efforts were incredibly moving and reinforced the importance of our work. I am proud to be part of such a meaningful organization.”

For information on pet food distribution sites or volunteering, visit www.DF2FM.org or call 817-334-0727.