New ‘period pantry’ to open at Fort Walton Beach Library, providing access to free menstrual products

A new period pantry will officially be unveiled on September 8 at the Fort Walton Beach Library, addressing menstrual product accessibility in the local area.

• Emerald Coast Period Pantry, founded by Samantha Sanabria, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce on Monday, September 8 at 4:00 p.m. The pantry will be located just outside the library.

“This pantry, designed like a little free library, will provide free period products for anyone in need,” Sanabria said. “Our mission is to destigmatize menstruation and promote menstrual equity for everyone in the Emerald Coast.”

The pantry addresses a significant need in Florida, where 4.2 million women aged 12 to 44 live below the Federal Poverty Line, according to the Alliance for Period Supplies. Research shows that 1 in 4 women in the state struggle to afford period products.

“Stigma keeps people silent, but the reality is that 1 in 4 women in Florida struggle to afford period products,” Sanabria said. “That’s not just a statistic — it’s a barrier to dignity, opportunity, and everyday life.”

Sanabria’s commitment to menstrual health grew from personal experience. “My passion for menstrual health began a few years ago, after I experienced the loss of a pregnancy at 20 weeks. That experience opened my eyes to how little we’re taught about our own bodies,” she said.

• The founder described starting the pantry as a response to current circumstances. “I started Emerald Coast Period Pantry as a way to take meaningful action in a time of political uncertainty,” Sanabria said.

The pantry plans to expand its impact through community drives and additional period pantries throughout the Emerald Coast. “I wanted to create a cause focused on destigmatizing menstruation and making period products more accessible right here on the Emerald Coast,” Sanabria said.

“This mission matters deeply to me because menstrual health is still something we don’t talk about enough, especially in public spaces,” she said. “It’s time we speak up and show up, even if it means stepping outside of our comfort zones.”

The Fort Walton Beach Library pantry represents the 3rd location, providing access to free menstrual products for community members in need.

For more information about Emerald Coast Period Pantry, visit here.