Pet food can be expensive and an extra burden to those in tight financial situations.

The Suffolk Humane Society has come up with a way to help.

On Saturday, from 10 a.m. until noon, Suffolk Humane will host a Pet Pantry at its office at 4300 Nansemond Parkway. Six volunteers will give away bags of dog and cat food to those who are in need. Other pet supplies, such as leashes, bowls and toys will also be available.

Supplies are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Kay Hurley, director of community outreach at Suffolk Humane.

My dog, Lucy, is lucky. She actually gets too much to eat. The worst she has had to experience since being adopted from the pound is switching from her typical brand to whatever what was on sale at the grocery store.

Recently, we have been cutting down on the people-food scraps and getting her back to basics. The vet did not say Lucy was overweight but warned that she didn’t need to pack on any extra pounds. The dog food is better for her, but that has not tempered her excitement whenever my husband or I pick up a fork.

I applaud the Humane Society for helping out local pets. At the same time, the group is helping people to not have to give up their beloved animals in an already difficult financial time.

Those who come to the Pet Pantry will need to submit information on how many pets they own and what breeds their pets are to determine how much food they are given. Visitors also have the option to submit their email address to receive Suffolk Humane Society newsletters.

Hurley estimates the facility has several hundred pounds of food ready for the event.

The food was acquired through donations by nearby stores such as Walmart and PetSmart, according to Hurley. If a bag of pet food is torn or damaged in a way that makes it impossible to sell, retailers sometimes donate it to the Humane Society.

“It’s more than just pet food,” Hurley said. “If you are going to adopt, then you need to make sure you can afford it.”

The Suffolk Humane Society is a nonprofit organization that works to educate people on pet safety and ensure animals for adoption receive loving homes. The facility relies on donations and volunteers to fund its endeavors.

For more information on the Suffolk Humane Society or to donate call 538-3030 or email info@suffolkhumanesociety.com.