3 minute read
He glows : Nicholas Wheeler
from Glo - June 2022
NICHOLAS WHEELER
By Bethany Beebe | Photo by Tim Brumbeloe
Whether it’s a three-dog night or the dog days of summer, Nicholas Wheeler helps assure that area four-legged friends have enough to eat.
Fort Wayne Pet Food Pantry, an organization now part of Humane Fort Wayne, distributes dog and cat food to area residents who may otherwise lose their pets because of costs. It counts Wheeler as one of its prized volunteers. Once a month, people meet to divide large bags of food into gallon zip bags. Distributions of collected and organized product then happen on a regular basis around the area. In 2021, 4,987 owners were given 100,252 pounds of food. As of April 2nd of this year, the organization already had helped 1,315 pet owners with 24,928 pounds of food.
All distributions are not simply for the community, but also from the community. To put it simply, “it’s just neighbors helping neighbors,” Wheeler said.
“There are a lot of food banks for people throughout the city doing a fantastic job of taking care of the human aspect when there is a need,” he said. “Going through a rough spot in life is hard enough without having to worry about losing what could be your only form of companionship. For a lot of us our pets are our family. They bring joy and happiness into our lives even when things look bleak.”
Wheeler understands bleak. Now a Viant employee of four years, and machinist for 25 years total, he once struggled himself.
“Years ago, when I was first starting out in my career and adult life, I got laid off for 11 months,” he said. “I had just bought a house and suddenly had no idea how I was going to pay for everything, let alone take care of my dogs. There were no jobs during that time and unemployment was barely enough to cover my mortgage, let alone any utility bills. Back then there was no pet food pantry of any sort. So, I did what I had to do to make sure that my dogs ate, even if it meant I didn’t.”
His empathy for the people — and the animals — he helps drives his work getting others through a challenging patch of life. He said, “I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to not know how I’m going to feed my pet and the panic it brings. I wish there had been something like the Pet Food Pantry back then for me.”
Better understanding the challenges of others is not limited to working at the pantry, though, but is a benefit of engaging one’s own passions. Wheeler said, “For so many of us, we live in a sheltered idea of … the world around us. It’s not until we get out of that comfort zone that we get to experience the truth. Through volunteering, we not only get to have new experiences, but we have a chance to make a direct and meaningful impact on the community around us, as well.” a
Wabash Run the River Half
Marathon, 10k, 5k, race will kickoff at 5:30 pm!
Spectators can come early and stay late to enjoy the downtown Block Party located right beside the start/finish line.
Downtown will be popping with DJ Victor,
a variety of food trucks, adult beverages, kids fun, & more. This family friendly event is open to the public and free!
Go to visitwabashcounty.com under “our events”
for more detailed info on which vendors will be providing activities, food and beverages.
