What do you do at the food bank?
I’m the Community Engagement manager here at Second Harvest and oversee the volunteer program.
How did you end up in this role?
After over 5 years managing the dental office at the local homeless shelter, I was in my last semester at Florida State pursuing a B.S in Information, Communication & Technology. I had volunteered at Second Harvest before with my daughter and was already engaged with the mission here. I decided to make a career change more in line with my degree right before graduation in the Spring of 2023. I knew Second Harvest was the right move as I would still be able to serve my community in some capacity. I began my journey at Second Harvest as a Retail Donor Specialist where I was responsible for building and maintaining relationships with our retail partners to secure food donations. After working for about 8 months in that role, I was offered my current role!
What is your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part of my job is definitely working with all the volunteers. It’s incredibly inspiring to see how passionate and dedicated they are about our mission at Second Harvest. Every day, I get to interact with a diverse group of individuals who bring their unique backgrounds and skills to our team. Their enthusiasm and commitment to making a positive impact in our community are truly uplifting. Whether it’s a group of students, corporate teams, or long-term volunteers, seeing their collective effort and the difference it makes in our community is deeply rewarding. It reminds me daily why I love what I do and fuels my own passion for community engagement and support.
What motivated you to fight hunger?
My motivation to fight hunger stems from my five-year tenure at a local homeless shelter, where I developed a deep passion for community service. During my time at the shelter, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that providing basic necessities can have on individuals’ lives. This experience ignited a strong desire in me to continue helping those in need and doing my part to break down the barriers they face every day. Hunger is a fundamental issue that affects so many aspects of a person’s well-being, from physical health to emotional stability. It’s about compassion, solidarity, and working together to create a better community for everyone.
Favorite memory?
I have so many because working here is so much fun! A few of my favorites would be working the events, like Taste in the Garden & playing flag football through the city league last fall. Another one would definitely be the mega distribution right before Christmas last year. So many of us showed up in Santa hats to spread the joy and Greg even showed up dressed as Santa
What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy being outdoors with my labradoodle, Piper and spending time with my family and friends. I am always planning my next beach day or kayaking trip with my friends to one of the many surrounding springs when I am not in the office. I also enjoy going to visit my family over in Navarre beach whenever I can!