Our Story - Hank's Bark Box LLC

Hank’s Bark Box is a free pet food pantry located in St. Petersburg, Florida, established to ensure that pets can be kept in their home and they don't go hungry. We opened on October 18th, 2021, in memory of our beloved dog Hank, who had recently crossed the rainbow bridge. His love, loyalty, and gentle spirit continue to inspire everything we do. Hank’s Bark Box is not a 501(c)(3) organization, and we do not accept—nor have we ever accepted—monetary donations. Instead, our free pet food pantry operates solely on the community support from our generous local neighbors, who donate dog and cat food to assist pet owners in need. Thanks to these ongoing donations, we’re able to keep the pantry stocked and accessible 24/7. It functions on a simple take-what-you-need, leave-what-you-can system—no judgment, no questions asked. This project is a labor of love, built in Hank’s memory and sustained by the kindness of our community. Without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you for helping us feed local pets, one bowl at a time. Dog and cat food donations can be made online through the link to our Amazon Wishlist, where the food will ship directly to us.

We maintain a small roadside pantry, known as Hank's Bark Box, located in our front yard in St. Petersburg, Florida. This free pet food pantry is stocked with both dry and canned dog and cat food, and it is open and accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering free pet food to anyone in need—no questions asked. Due to the high volume of daily traffic, there may be times when certain items are temporarily unavailable. Please understand that this doesn’t mean the pantry is being neglected; it simply reflects the strong community need and traffic to the box.  While we both work full-time jobs and can't monitor the box constantly, we do our best to refill it 4–5 times a day. Hank’s Bark Box operates entirely on community-donated pet food, and we are deeply grateful for the kindness that keeps our shelves stocked. If you stop by and don’t find what you need, please check back later—more help is always on the way. Together, we're making a difference—one meal, one pet, and one act of kindness at a time.

At Hank's Bark Box, our mission is simple: to help families in need keep their beloved pets at home, where they belong. Located in a small box in our front yard, we provide free pet food to support local families facing tough times. Our goal is to ensure that no child or family is ever forced to surrender their pet due to financial hardship. By offering this free pet food pantry, we also hope to ease the burden on overcrowded shelters and rescues, keeping pets out of the system and in the arms of those who love them. We are not a 501(c)(3) organization, nor do we accept or solicit cash donations. We are simply a man and woman operating out of our home, fueled by compassion and supported by the generous community support of our local community, who selflessly donate dog and cat food to keep this mission going. While we deeply respect the efforts of those caring for community cats, the pressing need to support families directly prevents us from extending our resources beyond our focus. It is important to our mission that Hank's Bark Box supports families and we ask that those caring for community cats seek out other resources. At Hank's Bark Box, we believe no one should ever have to choose between feeding their pet and feeding themselves. Together, with our community, we’re making sure they don’t have to.

A comprehensive list of Pet Food Banks in Pinellas County compiled by SPCA Tampa Bay