It’s not a laughing matter when times get so tough that you can’t afford to feed your pets. That’s why it’s so helpful that the folks at St. James Episcopal Church, in addition to their Food Pantry for humans, now has a food pantry program for pets too. To help raise funds for this worthy program, local comedy impresario Mark Kaplan is putting together a show that will tickle your funny bone while helping out our furry friends.

Santa Fe comedian John “Balloon Man” Duke and Albuquerque-born comic Goldie García will be featured at the comedy show fundraiser Friday (June 24), 7-8:30 p.m., at the Hotel Don Fernando de Taos, 1005 Paseo del Pueblo Sur.

Duke has been “performing in and around the United States for over 20 years,” Kaplan, who also will serve as emcee, says in a press release. “He’s been in several movies including ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3.’ On television, he was in the cast of Disney’s ‘Save The Dog.’ John (has) performed comedy shows with Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison and Ron White. You’ll see Duke doing stand up comedy, juggling and balloon art for this show.”

Goldie García honed her comedic skills with the Boston comedy scene for 10 years. The featured comedian has been a professional stand-up for over 30 years. Back in Albuquerque in 1979, García worked the comedy clubs throughout the Southwest while writing over 150 comedy articles as humor columnist for the now-defunct Albuquerque Tribune. García has opened for Paul Rodríguez, The Platters and Rob Schneider, according to Kaplan.

Kaplan himself will be poking fun at local and state people, businesses and himself.

Cover charge is $10 at the door with 100 percent of the profits going to the St. James Pet Food Pantry. There will also be a drawing and a trivia contest “where no one has to speak an answer.” You’ll have to ask Kaplan what that means. The comedy show is G-rated and everyone 21 and older is welcome, Kaplan says. Dining before and during the show is welcome and there will be drink specials.

The St. James Pet Food Pantry provides free bags of dog and cat food to anyone in need on the third Saturday of each month from noon until 2 p.m. Staff from Stray Hearts Animal Shelter will also be there during the food distribution at St. James Church to provide information and financial assistance for spaying and neutering of dogs and cats.

The St. James Pet Food Pantry is located inside the main doors of St. James Episcopal Church, 208 Camino de Santiago. For information on volunteering to bag food, pick up donated food, making a donation or buying advance tickets to the comedy show fundraiser, contact the St. James Pet Food Pantry Director Megan Bradley at (575) 613-5919 or email her at mmbradley79@hotmail.com.

Hotel Don Fernando de Taos Director of Sales Shirley Mondragón can be reached at (575) 758-4444.

Doors to the Don Fernando Restaurant open at 6:30 p.m. Taos crooner Juan Rivera will be singing love ballads until the comedy starts at 7 p.m.

Kaplan says other comedy show fundraisers he is planning at the Hotel Don Fernando will benefit Habitat For Humanity-Taos on July 29, Newspapers In Education (NIE) Program on Aug. 26, the Literacy Center at the University of New Mexico-Taos on Sept. 9 and Taos Ladies Basketball Team on Sept. 30.

Kaplan is also planning an “The End Of The World Part 2” comedy show on Oct. 21, a fundraiser “for the Earth’s next doomsday 2011.” So, laugh it up, funny boy.