Funded by a grant from CCHD

With a 2006 multi-year grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), a business plan was developed to initiate a small entrepreneurial project called Good Dog! Biscuits & Treats. This employment project was developed by and for guests of the Lawrence Community Shelter. Shelter guests mix, bake, package, and distribute several varieties of gourmet dog biscuits and treats each week at the local Farmer’s Markets, as well as area churches and businesses. It is your patronage and donations that keep these yummy treats and other Good Dog! products available and people employed.

LCS guests, as Good Dog! employees, developed the business plan and run all areas of the business (production, packaging, distribution, sales, marketing, and development of future products). Proceeds from Good Dog! sales provide salaries for the employees and additional profits are put back into the business.

If your favorite pet outlet doesn't offer Good Dog! Biscuits & Treats, we encourage you to ask them to stock them. Visit our website for more information or to order online.

Distribution

Distribution efforts of Good Dog! employees go beyond sales at the Saturday Lawrence Farmer's Market. Good Dog! recenly moved into a part of a small building, to be used as a production/distribution center, near the corner of 9th & New York Streets. Good Dog! products can be found at several convenient outlets, with more businesses added in the future.

 

Where to find Good Dog! Biscuits & Treats

• Checkers
• Hy-Vee on Clinton Parkway
• Lawrence Feed & Farm Supply
• Lawrence Far
• Lawrence Humane Society
• The Merc
• Pawsh Wash
• Pet World

Grand Opening of the Dog House

Grand Opening of the Dog House
Saturday, May 22, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
412 E 9th St
Lawrence, KS

This expansion of the employment program was highlighted in the May 14, 2010 edition of the Lawrence Journal-World: Jobs program for homeless set to expand
"New rented space will allow for increase in dog treat production. A homeless jobs program is set to expand later this month by opening up a retail store in east Lawrence."
Read More >>

FUTURE

The future of this entrepreneurial business is very bright.

Your purchase of Good Dog! Biscuits & Treats will create employment opportunities for the homeless in Douglas County. The Lawrence Community Shelter developed this unique non-profit business model to provide each participant with a purpose and a plan.

Employees engage in all facets of the business, including product preparation, distribution, sales, and marketing, establishing a regained sense of accomplishment in their abilities.

Our employment program serves to transition employees back into the general workforce through gained knowledge, a positive experience, and confidence in knowing they can build a better future.

The goal of Good Dog! Biscuits and Treats is to support The Lawrence COmmunity Shelter in building a local non-profit industry that will continue to expand its offerings, increase revenues, and serve a broader population in need.

STAFF

Renewal of the CCHD grant each year is dependent on showing growth of the entrepreneurial project and success of the LCS guest staff as they develop and implement the business plan. Here are some of the people who mentor and guide LCS guests/employees for Good Dog! Biscuits and Treats.

Now looking... for a GDG (Good Dog! Guru):

This person has experience in the business world and lots of enthusiasm to guide Good Dog! Biscuits and Treats toward success as a non-profit industry. This is the perfect opportunity for a recently retired businessperson who needs more than golf or gardening to satisfy them.

 

Maureen Bernhagen, GDM (Good Dog! Marketing):

Maureen has extensive executive career experience in merchandising and marketing for several of the nation’s leading retail companies.

During her six year tenure at Sears Corporate in Chicago, she was instrumental in launching a new business division for the company in over 400 stores nationwide. Her management responsibilities included design, visual merchandising, marketing and product development for private label brands. She also served as Category Creative Manager for multiple divisions of the company providing visionary development in support of strategic business initiatives.

Most recently, she managed sales and marketing as an Account Executive for Goldsmith, a New York based firm well known for its manufacture and sales of store design elements to the retail trade. Her accounts included such notable companies as Harley-Davidson.

Maureen has also served in an executive merchandising capacity with Carson Pirie Scott, Wards and Payless. She traveled internationally while Vice-President of Maison Imports developing gift packaging and product lines for companies such as Estee Lauder, Lancome and Macy’s.

She is pleased to offer her vast experience and abilities to support local businesses in the Lawrence community. Currently, she is also employed by House Parts, a home design store located on Mass Street.