Long Beach’s Multi-Service Center selected as site for pet food pantry

Friday, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services announced a new pet food pantry, sponsored by Project Street Vet, a nonprofit serving pets belonging to people experiencing homelessness, and Kismet, a new pet brand co-founded by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. Legend was on site to celebrate the opening, with Kismet donating over 2,500 pounds of food and treats for dogs to the Project Street Vet initiative.

“We are thrilled to announce this new partnership and are so grateful to Project Street Vet and Kismet for making it happen,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Pets provide comfort, companionship and unconditional love. For people experiencing homelessness, pets can also foster a sense of normality and family in a world that can otherwise be very lonely.”

Anyone who visits the Multi-Service Center (MSC), Long Beach’s one-stop shop for accessing homeless services, will be able to pick up pet food whenever they need it, as the pet food pantry will be available whenever the MSC is open. Long Beach is the tenth community served by Project Street Vet, which empowers veterinary teams to deliver professional, non-judgmental medical care and support to pet families experiencing homelessness and housing vulnerability. The organization, which is largely volunteer led, has worked with the Health Department on pet health care since 2023.

“I work with pet communities that don’t have access to consistent nutrition or care, so to be able to open a pantry for those in need here – and to stock it with Kismet, the best dog food – is doubly rewarding,” said Dr. Kwane Stewart, who is Project Street Vet’s founder and Kismet’s chief veterinary officer. “The food is available every day that the Multi-Service Center is open. No questions asked.”

Dr. Stewart was awarded CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2023 in recognition of his work. Legend and Teigen tapped the long-time vet to join Kismet for his experience in medicine and commitment to animal welfare.

“We are animal lovers to our core and supporting our local pet communities has always been very important to us when building Kismet,” said Kismet Chief Executive Officer Mathé Young Mosny. “We’re proud to work alongside Project Street Vet and the city of Long Beach to bring food to those in need.”

Every order at kismetpets.com supports the business’s philanthropic arm, Kismet Cares, and its beneficiaries: Project Street Vet and Paws for Life.