About

Hi! I'm Samantha Sanabria, founder of Emerald Coast Period Pantry.

I'm a military spouse and have been living in Fort Walton Beach since April 2022. I started learning more about the menstrual cycle a few years ago, and it slowly became my passion (weird thing to become obsessed with, but stick with me here). There's something to be said about a body that has a uterus and does all the incredible things it does...all while bleeding a week every month.

I discovered Tampa Period Pantry(opens in new tab) in 2024 and knew right away that I wanted to bring something like this to the panhandle. I had two goals in mind.

1. Destigmatizing menstruation for everyone: A biological process that our bodies experience shouldn't carry so much shame and stigma. When we talk about it like it's the normal process that it is, we change the perception from stigmatized to destigmatized.
2. Making period products accessible to anyone: Menstruators of all types shouldn't be faced with the choice between food and basic hygiene products. That's the sad reality for many. Free period pantries help to alleviate some of that financial burden and restore dignity to menstruation.

For too long, there have been people (women and all types of menstruators) on the fringes of society who've been there for way too long because inclusivity wasn't valued. I wanted to start an organization that's accessible to anyone who bleeds. Period.

Emerald Coast Period Pantry launched in April 2025. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support I have received from people in the local community who are aligned with this mission.

I look forward to working together to make period products more accessible in the Emerald Coast!

Fun facts about me: my favorite activities are reading and writing (I'm currently working on a novel!), dark chocolate is my first love, and I've traveled to 18 countries.