the Coconut Grove Crisis Food Pantry

 Sandra has led the Pantry for 8 years, bringing deep roots in Coconut Grove and 33 years of public service with the US Postal Service. A lifelong community advocate, she has served as an elections clerk for 12 years and was honored among Miami's Women to Watch – Non-Profits by the New Tropic in 2019 and 2026 Julia Tuttle Award.   

 A University of Iowa grad and returned Peace Corps volunteer, Taylor served in Guatemala working to strengthen food security in rural communities. Now based in Miami as a Peace Corps recruiter, she volunteers two days a week — bringing her global commitment to fighting food insecurity right here to Coconut Grove.  

Identical twins and board members, Paulette and Paula have packed 40+ bags every Tuesday for five years, representing Christ Episcopal Church — the Pink Church where they were raised. Retired professionals, they bring the same devotion to the Pantry as to their church guilds, the Order of the Daughters of the King, and every event that calls for their legendary cooking.  

Paula built a distinguished career in the federal government's Freedom of Information Office, where she worked with complex information systems and supported government operations through a period of major organizational change. Later, she completed specialized federal law enforcement training, adding another chapter to a career defined by professionalism and public service. 

Paulette spent many years in federal public service, specializing in international immigration matters. Her work required careful research, coordination with governments around the world, and helping resolve challenging cases during a period of heightened global security. Today, she brings that same dedication and commitment to serving her community through her volunteer work at the Pantry. 

 A Vietnam War veteran and retired commercial airline pilot, Al brings quiet dedication to everything he does. Each week, not only does he volunteer at the Pantry but he walks through Peacock Park, taking time to learn the names and stories of our unhoused neighbors — and most often arriving with their sandwich of choice. A true hero in the most understated way.  

 Carol is both the heart and the muscle of the Pantry — and the stories about her outlift­ing most men are not exaggerated. A salon owner for 27 years, now retired, she shows up Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays to do whatever is needed, returning even through significant health challenges. Her ability to lift both spirits and supplies is truly unmatched.  

Every Tuesday, Jose drives from Key Largo to deliver groceries to 40 homebound households — up from 16 when he joined during Covid in 2020. A retired teacher, football coach, and pastor of Amar Church in South Miami, Jose lives by his mantra: "we need to live outside the walls." The clients he serves adore him, and so does everyone at the Pantry.  

A Chicago native who moved to the Grove eight months ago, Stacy rearranges her work day to make it here every Tuesday — her "lunch break" starts at 10 a.m. A planning coordinator for a global horticultural grower, she and her packing partner Margie have quickly become a Pantry institution. She adores her four grown children and three grandpuppies.  

Originally from Dagestan, Anna moved to Miami two years ago with her husband Ilya and their children. What started as her daughter's community service project became a shared family commitment. A teacher by trade, she brings warmth, grace, and real dedication to every shift.  

A Chicago transplant with a lifelong commitment to giving back, Molly discovered the Pantry a year ago and has been part of the family ever since. She volunteers Sundays, serves on the outreach committee, and her enthusiasm proved so contagious that her husband Ryan joined too.  

For many, Chris is the face of the Pantry — out on William Avenue every Tuesday, rain or shine, coordinating walkups and knowing most clients by name, story, and need. A retired prepress professional, he joined in 2015 after hearing Sandra Martin speak.  He previously served as co-director and remains a proud representative of St. Stephen's. 

Born in England and educated at Aston Business School, Nick found his way to the Pantry through Hurricane Dorian relief work with Plymouth Church. A seven-year British Navy Reserve veteran, now with a career in international finance, he now channels that same organizational energy into building lasting partnerships for the Pantry .  

A Missouri native who once worked building circuit boards in Hialeah Doanna followed her Marine pilot husband across five states and three continents.  But she eventually landed where she'd always wanted to be, back in the Grove. A trained accountant and lifelong recycling pioneer, she now sorts, packs, and hauls our cartons to Alapattah every week, saving the Pantry real money.