The Paws and Wellness Project

09/04/2026

🐾❤️ TODAY IS NATIONAL FOOD BANK DAY — AND WE HAVE SOMETHING BIG TO CELEBRATE! ❤️🐾

When we think about food insecurity, we often think about the people sitting around the dinner table.

But there are often four-legged family members sitting under that same table.

At Paws & Wellness Project, we believe that families shouldn't have to choose between putting food on their own table and feeding the animals they love. ❤️

That belief is why we created our Community Pet Food Support Program.

And today, on National Food Bank Day, we want to shine a HUGE spotlight on the incredible network we are building across our communities.

📍 OUR CURRENT COMMUNITY PARTNERS & THEIR WISH LISTS

🐱 Cuddle Cat Rescue
Help support the families in Hannibal, MO
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2HPO24CC0JCMJ?ref_=wl_share

🥫 Jacksonville Area Community Food Center
Help keep pet food available for families who need it:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/23GIRLFYKBVPT?ref_=wl_share

🐾 Loami Food Pantry
Help provide pet food alongside the food assistance they already provide to families:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2KJ6XEVZ4SNOQ?ref_=wl_share

🐶 Brown County Animal Rescue
Help keep their pet food support stocked:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/ZLTRX7EG666W?ref_=wl_share

❤️ Paws & Wellness Project — Main Headquarters
Help us keep our shelves stocked so we can continue filling the gaps throughout our communities:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/19PHBF5YLHOQ1?ref_=wl_share

Make a donation instead? Venmo:

And here's the part we're REALLY excited about...

🎉 WE'RE GROWING!

This weekend, we are firing up TWO MORE COMMUNITY PET FOOD SUPPORT LOCATIONS IN TWO DIFFERENT COUNTIES! 🐾🐾

Two more communities.
Two more places' families can turn to.
More pets staying where they belong — at home with the people who love them.

This is what happens when a community comes together.

A bag of dog food.
A case of cat food.
A $10 donation.
A shared Wishlist.
A business saying YES.
A volunteer giving their time.

Every single one adds up.

And sometimes, something as simple as a bag of pet food is the reason a family gets to keep their best friend. ❤️

So today, we're asking you to help us fill the bowls.

Choose one of the Wishlist's above.
Share this post.
Tag a friend.
Ask your favorite business to get involved.
Or simply tell someone about what we're doing.

Because no family should have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets.

And we're just getting started, SERIOUSLY. 🐾❤️

Paws & Wellness Project
Keeping pets fed. Keeping families together.

09/03/2026

We will be hosting our next Community Pet Food Pickup on September 19th from 6–7 PM!

📍 907 W Morton Ave, Jacksonville, IL 62650
📍 Monqui Suds Cleaners & Laundromat — front lot closest to Burger King

Pet food assistance is available while supplies last. ❤️

If your family is facing a difficult time, please know there is no judgment—just compassion. We believe no one should have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding the pet they love. 🐶🐱

If you're able to help, donations of dog food, cat food, treats, and pet supplies are always greatly appreciated! 🐾❤️

09/02/2026

🖤🎃 WHO WANTS A NEW TATTOO?! 🎃🖤
We have a VERY cool raffle happening for the Paws & Wellness Project! 🐾

✨ WIN A 1-HOUR TATTOO SESSION! ✨
Generously donated by The Painted Lady! 🖤
Have a tattoo idea you've been putting off? 👀
Maybe this is your sign! 😉

🎟️ RAFFLE CHANCES:
$10 each | 3 for $25

📅 DRAWING: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH
⏰ 7:00 PM

💰 HOW TO PURCHASE YOUR CHANCES:
📲 Venmo:
💵 Cash
📝 Check made payable to Paws & Wellness Project

A HUGE thank you to The Painted Lady for donating this amazing prize and helping us make an impact in our community! 🖤

🎨 ONE HOUR. ONE WINNER. ONE GREAT CAUSE.
Who's getting their chances?! 👇
And TAG that friend who is always talking about their next tattoo! 🖤

Please note: By purchasing raffle chances, you are supporting the Paws & Wellness Project. Winner will be drawn on September 13th at 7 PM.

09/02/2026

Stay tuned! We have an exciting raffle going live tonight through September 13th 🎨🖋🖋

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

08/29/2026

🐾🏃‍♀️ WE DID IT — PAWS ON THE PAVEMENT 5K 2026! 🏃‍♂️🐾

This morning, after six months (or honestly… probably longer 😂) of planning, organizing, stressing, fundraising, and dreaming, our very first Paws on the Pavement 5K became a reality.

And we are sitting here absolutely OVERWHELMED WITH PRIDE. 🥹❤️

✨ 35 runners
🐕 14 dogs
🐾 409.45 POUNDS OF PET FOOD DONATED
💰 $1,027 RAISED FOR PAWS & WELLNESS PROJECT

$1,027. 💚

Every dollar raised and every pound of food donated will help us continue our mission of supporting pets and families in our community.

But here's the part that makes our hearts REALLY happy…

🐾 Our Paws on the Pavement adoptable pup, Lola, already has THREE applications pending! 🥹🐶❤️

What started as a fundraiser turned into a day of community, compassion, and hopefully a whole new beginning for Lola.

And that's exactly why we do what we do.

Paws & Wellness Project was only powered up 8 months ago. Eight months ago, this was a grassroots idea fueled by a whole lot of heart and a desire to make a difference.

Today, we're looking back at how far we've come and honestly… the growth has been mind-blowing.

We've built community partnerships.
We've established pet food support.
We've helped families keep their pets fed.
We've supported animals in need.
We've created opportunities for our community to come together.

And now we've officially held our FIRST 5K. 🏃‍♀️🐾

None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who continue to believe in what we're building.

❤️ To our amazing sponsors: THANK YOU for investing in our mission and helping make today possible.

❤️ To our volunteers: THANK YOU for giving your time, energy, and heart to make this event happen.

❤️ To our runners, walkers, and four-legged participants: THANK YOU for showing up and supporting our mission.

❤️ To everyone who donated food, donated money, shared our posts, encouraged us, or simply believed in us: THANK YOU.

Today wasn't just about running a 5K.

It was about COMMUNITY.

It was about IMPACT.

It was about showing what can happen when a small grassroots organization has a big mission and an even bigger community behind it.

409.45 pounds of pet food.
$1,027 raised.
35 runners.
14 dogs.
And hopefully… one very happy Lola on her way to a forever home. 🐶❤️

Eight months in.

And WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED. 🐾

From our little grassroots nonprofit to all of you who continue to show up for us — THANK YOU. We couldn't do this without you. ❤️

🐾❤️ Paws & Wellness Project ❤️🐾

See ya at the Paws on the Pavement 5K next year!!

08/27/2026

🐾💚