Homeless teens bake up fresh dog treats and learn vital employment skills thanks to Lindy & Company, a bakery cooked up by Daybreak emergency shelter.
What do hungry dogs, homeless youth, cheddar cheese, and applesauce have in common? You’re scratching your head now, aren’t you! I sense that throwing in “Dayton, Ohio” isn’t going to ring any bells either so I’m just going to cut to the chase. They’re all part of a win-win-win project cooked up by the Ohio-based Daybreak emergency shelter for street kids.
Established back in 1975, Daybreak now operates the area’s only 24-hour crisis hotline and has grown to include outreach, transitional housing and life-skills education for runaway, throwaway, and homeless youth.
Related:Pets Provide Benefits for Homeless Youth
It’s the life-skills education part that connects the dots back to that hungry pooches and cheddar cheese reference I made earlier because back in October 2012, Daybreak introduced the Lindy & Company bakery – a micro-manufacturer of all natural dog treats.
As part of the non-profit’s commitment to helping teens develop valuable work skills and practical experience the youth are encouraged to don an apron and grab some oven mitts as they whip up batches of dog treats such as Cheddar & Applesauce, Peanut Butter & Bacon, Yogurt-Peanutty and Better Butter Honeys.
Related:Fresh Start Helps The Homeless With All-Natural Beef Pet Food
The bakery is named for the founder/funder’s own pooch “Lindy” and it’s goal is to ensure this hands-on training not only helps young trainees gain self-confidence but find employment that will help ensure they always have a roof over their head.
It’s interesting to realize that while we are quick to note the millions of homeless pets that end up in shelters each year, did you know that each year in the US alone an estimated 550,000 kids become homeless? When you factor in the many who sofa-surf and tend to fall below the radar, its closer to 2 million.
How can you help? It’s as simple as buying your furry side-kick some treats! They’re made from all natural ingredients like bread flour, applesauce, cheddar cheese, powdered milk and whole eggs, they come in flavors that you just know your boy will find delish, they include bite-sized portions for smaller dogs and when you consider this product is home-made and helps support a great cause, the pricing just can’t be beat – ranging from $5 to $8.95 per bag with free shipping for orders over $25. Better still, they offer a tuna-cheese version for our fussy felines!
Check out the Lindy & Company website and show your little guy (and gal) you not only love them but you care about others.
Mary Simpson is a writer and communications professional. A soft touch for anything stray, she shares her century home with an eclectic collection of rescues that include orange tabby Chico, tuxedo Simon, and jet black Owen. She enjoys running, politics, exploring the wine regions, and is an avid supporter of the “shop local” movement.
