Inside the Palmer Munroe Teen Center food market, it’s quaint, replete with everything from soup cans and loaves of bread to assorted meats and vegetables. Light may pour in from the windows, but it radiates from the person who has made it her mission to keep the space running: FSU Community Ambassador Samantha Ortega.  

“There are so many moving parts that make this work,” said Ortega, who runs the choice-style pantry by herself on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “The food pantry is something I run, but I couldn’t do it without everyone else.” 

Having been raised in a household that emphasized the role of community service, Ortega sought an opportunity to give back to the Tallahassee community at the end of her sophomore year. This desire led her to apply for the Center for Leadership & Service’s Community Ambassadors program, which pairs students with nonprofit agencies in Tallahassee seeking volunteers. Ortega was partnered with the Second Harvest of the Big Bend, which oversees the Palmer Munroe food market; by August, she was volunteering at the market weekly.  

Ortega’s work includes restocking, managing inventory, assisting visitors with their shopping, and gathering data on how many people are served by the market. Molly Boykin, who coordinates nutrition programs for Second Harvest, described Ortega’s volunteering as “dignifying and empowering.” 

“She’s there if people need assistance, but she’s not facilitating a handout,” Boykin said. “I’m so glad she comes with that perspective.” 

About 15-20 people come to the food market every Tuesday, and over the course of the past few weeks, Ortega has grown closer with a handful of the regular visitors.  

“Some of their stories are heartbreaking,” Ortega said, “but it makes me realize that by being there, we’re helping them take one thing off their shoulders, even if it’s just for a couple of days.”  

Originally unsure of her abilities to manage the market on her own, Ortega now carries out her work with confidence. 

“It was out of my comfort zone at first, but I’m glad that it happened the way it did," said Ortega, who envisions getting more involved in the community and taking a bigger role in the future.

Community Ambassador Samantha Ortega poses in front of a shelf of dry goods at the food pantry she helps run at the Palmer Munroe Teen Center. Photo/ Alyson Mizanin

Mary Mangan, the graduate assistant who works with Ortega and other students in the Community Ambassadors program, applauds Ortega’s dedication.  

“Sami just embraced it, challenges and all, and that attitude of maybe feeling intimidated but still having the courage and willingness to try really stands out to me,” Mangan said.  

Although she considers her role to be “small scale” in nature, Ortega recognizes that her volunteering is predicated upon her family’s dedication to service.   

“My mom was shocked when she found out that I was taking this initiative on my own, but at the same time, she’s proud. Her daughter chooses to help out and continue a legacy that she helped initiate,” she said. 

Ortega balances her service commitments with pre-med coursework and two jobs. Despite her busy schedule, she remains steadfast, motivated by the long-term implications of her service. 

“Just knowing that I am making a difference — any time I’m tired or have 10 tests to study for, I know that if I’m not there, then the pantry won’t be opening,” she said. “I’m just a student who comes in and volunteers, but me being there does make the difference. It’s five hours of my week that feeds a family for their week.”