On most days, you can find Samuel Wirsching, owner of Sam’s Cats & Dogs Naturally of Everett Washington, busy helping a customer find the right dog food for a German Shepherd or attending to the grooming needs of a Border Collie. “We kind of do it all for the pets and their owners,” says Wirsching, “from grooming to delivering food and supplies all over King and Snohomish Counties.”

Unfortunately, the pandemic hit the business hard, as Sam’s Cats & Dogs had to suspend its grooming services and reduced their overall staff from around 30 to just over 10 people. “There was no way around it given our reduction in service, and we all felt terrible and scared for our store and for our employees,” says Wirsching.

Undaunted by their own challenges, Wirsching and Sam’s Cats & Dogs is Passing It On by providing products paid for by Columbia Bank to the Sky Valley Food Bank. Wirsching said about Sky Valley Food Bank, “They are fierce advocates for the people in our community who need the most help and we are delighted to Pass On much needed pet items to help in their mission.”