Since its inception 2 years ago, Hank’s Bark Box has provided over 35 tons of food to dogs and cats in need. This is more impressive considering the dimensions of the box: two square feet with two shelves inside. Each shelf holds three 1-LB bags of dog and cat food. Mark James, who began Hank’s Bark Box, refills the box 6 – 8 times per day, roughly 200-LBS of food per day. Hank’s Bark Box only accepts food donations, no money. You can either donate by drop off or from home using these links to Amazon and Walmart wish-lists. The Bark Box is located at 6511 3rd Ave South Saint Petersburg, FL 33707.
St. Pete Shopping Company also offers free delivery of cat and dog food to Hanks Bark Box if you have items at home to donate.
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A pet food pantry made in honor of a beloved four-legged friend
Mark James, 65, builds custom acoustic guitars in his shed. He is a dog man. His earliest memory is of a dog he had as a child in South Florida. He’s had countless more over the years, but one struck a major chord with him: Hank. At nine years old (56 in dog years) Hank, a mixed breed adopted from SPCA, passed away from cancer of the spleen. Hank barked at everything, squirrels, thunder, mosquitos.
In Hank’s memory, Mark created a pet food pantry. Considering Hank’s personality, it made sense to call it Hank’s Bark Box. While Mark started the pet food pantry, the community of St. Petersburg keeps it going. “We never thought people would want to donate,” Mark says. “We intended to just put our own money in.”
St. Pete community supports Hank’s Bark Box
Now, about 70% of the food is donated, and considering the weekly quota, that’s a lot of donations. “People donate unconditionally,” Mark says, mirroring another sentiment: “We want to ensure that people are able to keep their pets in their home…because pets love unconditionally…pets aren’t judgy.” Often people facing economic hardships ensure that their pets eat before them, as if the animal were an extension of them, of their own self.
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If you are facing economic hardship, you may visit Hank’s Bark Box at 6511 3rd Ave South Saint Petersburg, FL 33707 and collect what you need—no questions asked. People from all walks of life show up to get food. Mark says, “who am I to judge who gets food and who doesn’t?”
Visit Hank’s Bark Box on Facebook.
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