Listen to this articleThe recently opened marketplace at ELIJA Farm in South Huntington has launched an initiative to raise money for autism services and the homeless on Long Island.
ELIJA, which stands for Empowering Long Island’s Journey through Autism, announced the effort called Woof Wednesday, where each Wednesday its farm’s market will be stocked with hand-crafted dog biscuits. The sales of the dog treats will benefit autism services at ELIJA, as well as services provided by the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless to people experiencing homelessness here.
ELIJA’s collaboration with the coalition aims to “shine a light on serving our communities, people with autism, and those in need through a shared love of animals and the impact pets have on our lives,” according to a statement from the ELIJA Foundation.
Woof Wednesday was the brainchild of Long Islanders Katie Padgett and Jason Harris and was adopted by Deb Thivierge, ELIJA’s CEO and executive director. The dog biscuits are made with all natural ingredients, including oats, peanut butter and pumpkin puree, at the direction of ELIJA’s in-house baker Kelly Saphire. The treats are sold for $10 per bag of 30, with half of the proceeds going to ELIJA Farm and half donated to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.
“You won’t only be giving dogs delicious treats, you’ll also be helping to fund educational opportunities for people on the autism spectrum like us, which is very important, and you’ll also be assisting people affected by homelessness,” Padgett said in the statement. “Anything you can do to help someone, every little bit counts.”
The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless hopes to increase offerings through its distribution center they call their ‘boutique’ that gives people who are exiting homelessness, or at risk and in need, a chance to pick out clothes and other essential items, non-perishable food for both people and pets, toiletries and housewares. The coalition wants to expand this outreach beyond the 6,000 individuals and families currently served annually through its boutique.
“I absolutely love the idea that Katie and Jason came up with to further our commitment to making a meaningful difference in both human and canine lives,” Thivierge said in the statement. “We are excited to not only support our clients living with autism, but to help the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless to provide support to their clients through their amazing Boutique initiative. Hopefully this is just the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship.”
Greta Guarton, executive director of the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, echoed that sentiment.
“I want to thank Katie, Jason, Deb, and ELIJA Farm for this amazing opportunity,” she said in the statement. “People with disabilities, including those with autism, are at a greater risk of experiencing homelessness, nation-wide. And often, people who are homeless or at-risk and have a pet will not go into shelters because their animals are not permitted, so instead they will stay in their car or remain un-housed. I’m grateful for this partnership, which draws attention to the many issues that impact our diverse communities.”
The dog treats can be purchased at the ELIJA Farm marketplace at 43 Foxhurst Road in South Huntington while supplies last or by pre-ordering at the ELIJA Farm website at elijafarm.org. Orders for pick up must be placed by Monday for the following Wednesday.