When Worthy Coffee Co. owner Brandi Worthy gifted her husband, Josh, a rescue dog for Christmas, she was inspired to have a heart for animals and give back to dogs in need.
After meeting the woman who rescued the micro bully named Flora, Worthy started a pet food drive at her business, which will take place through the end of January. She partnered with Second Chance Dogs in McKenna and Caring Hearts 4 Paws in Olympia to donate items to at the end of the drive.
“I saw her passion for animals, and I loved it,” Worthy said of the woman. “I wanted to support that. I just have a heart for people, and I want to help the people that are helping the pets. That’s what Worthy is about.”
The McKenna coffee company, 9111 346th St., is accepting wet and dry dog and cat food, beds, toys, leashes, collars, treats and cat litter. Worthy doesn’t have a specific target for the amount of donations, as she hopes to help the rescue organizations however she can.
“My pitch to them was super simple. I said I’m doing a pet food drive, do you want to be part of it and can I donate to you?” Worthy said. “They were in awe and couldn’t believe somebody would do this. I hope it’s going to be a huge success. If it goes well, we could donate to more than just the two organizations.”
Worthy Coffee Co., which opened its doors in June of 2023, prioritizes community service and events, including Saturday markets, bible studies and fundraisers. During the holiday season, Worthy put up a Christmas giving tree for single mothers and their children. Based on the community’s response to the giving tree, Worthy knew she could help the local dog rescue organizations.
“People all over are looking for somewhere to help because they have such giving hearts, and we’re just giving them a place to pour into,” she said. “We always want to make sure it goes to the right place. We don’t keep any of the dog food. It goes straight to the community.”
Worthy hopes to make the pet food drive an annual event. The business will also host dog adoption events in January and February, where people can meet rescue dogs outside of the shop and adopt them.
On Saturday, Jan. 6, two 9-year-old girls — Worthy’s daughter Finley and her friend Ella Hilsabeck — set up a table at Worthy Coffee Co. to raise money for a dog named Gracie who has spina bifida. They sold handmade items and Worthy Coffee Co. apparel, including bracelets, keychains, raffle tickets, wallets and more, to help fund Gracie’s surgery, which costs $1,300.
“I really wanted to do a sale for bracelets and to raise money for our animals and other people’s animals,” said Hilsabeck, who dreams of becoming a veterinarian when she grows up. “We got a lot of donations. It’s really nice that people would do that and donate so much money. Someone donated like $35, which was really nice.”
As evidenced by the pet food drive and her support of the girls’ table in the business, Worthy is adamant about helping the community because of its reputation for helping others.
“I am amazed and truly in awe of people’s hearts in our community. I just feel honored to be a part of it. I am blessed to have a platform to be able to bring opportunities like this to the community,” she said. “There are so many good people out there ready and willing to help. We are part of a community that’s full of those people.”
