An Idea to a project
Fritters for Critters began as an actitivity in The adult learning day program, in Wilmington, IL. The adult learning center is for people with developemental disabilities.
It's been fun from the beginning
Our CEO ran a contest among our employees submitting photos of their pets.
Shiloh ( payroll clerks dog) Miloh ( a Q's Cat) , and Snickers ( Strides farm Horse) became our mascots for our packaging. The winners were given Gift Baskets from The Barkery. The new packaging allowed us to compete in the growing Pet Industry.
Let's help ourselves
Fritters for Critters was born as a support business of Trinity Services, Inc. Our Ceo believed that at the time, budget cuts were happening, the support businesses was our way of us helping ourselves. Fritters for Critters provides job oppurtunities in the community to the clients we serve.
How we did it
We began with a bowl and spoon and cooked the treats in the program oven. As we grew I went to 4 residential apartments to bake our treats to keep up with orders. I knew most people have a dog , a family member, or neighbor that has a pet. The feedback was very positive as we attacched surveys to the samples we gave out, and the census was their dogs loved them. We were asked where they could be bought.
We are growing
With our CEO and directors support and guidance we created Fritters for Critters. We began as a small mom and pop platform and increased our sales that allowed us to build a manufacturing plant and warehouse in Elwood, ILlinois. This allowed us to be able to compete in the growing industry. We began doing trade shows in Chicago, Minnesota, Missouri and attending Super Zoo in Vegas with our new packaging. We obtained many sales and new accounts allowing our business to compete with the larger Pet companies. We began a relationship with a large distributor in our region. This provided sales represenatives in the field daily promoting our products, but also our story which is why we do what we do. Fritters for Critters business was based on our mission "Helping people with disabilities live full abundant lives".
Trinity Strong
During Covid, The Barkery remained open doing door to door service . We continued providing the community with the same products and service that we take pride in and always provided. During that time when other businesses were closing our sales continued to increase.
Partnership
With the TEAM effort of many wonderful employees over the years and mentors that believed in us that we could make a large impact on the clients we serve. Currently we have 3 brands of products, Fritters for Critters in 7 flavors, The Brew and Chew line is available in 4 flavors. Brew and Chew cookies are made from generously donated spent grain from a local Brewery, Tangled Roots in Ottawa, Illinois. Our newest Happy Hour CBD treats for Dogs are available in 2 sizes, regular and economy. With your purchase, it allows us to continue to provide oppurtunities to the wonderful and amazing people we serve. Thank you for supporting our Mission.