As we begin the 2018-2019 school year we would like to introduce you to  the team! We look forward to working with everyone involved with FFT or interested in getting involved! 

Tiffanie Nelson - Founder of Food For Thought

Meet the Founder of Food For Thought Outreach, Tiffanie Nelson. Food For Thought began in 2010 after Tiffanie learned that students in her own children's school were hungry and missing meals when they were away from school-provided meals. What began as a project that Tiffanie and her children did at home, helping 6 kids per week, grew into the organization that is Food For Thought Outreach, and Tiffanie began working full-time at FFT in 2014 as the Executive Director. Currently, she lives in Santa Rosa Beach with her 3 children and husband, Darren Nelson. Tiffanie is dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the programs at FFT to ensure our organization is here to support children in need for years to come. When she is not working, she is usually outside enjoying time with her family as much as possible.

Erin Perry - Operations Manager

Meet our Operations Manager, Erin Perry! Erin started at Food For Thought in May 2017 after working for 10 years as a Project and Localization Manager in the translation industry. In her previous career, she was responsible for coordinating and overseeing projects such as the translation of websites into over 30 languages for international companies. Erin's family has lived in the area for over 15 years, so she's lived here off and on, but has spent most of that time living in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Paris. Erin's time in Paris allowed her to practice her French and to satisfy her serious case of wanderlust, as she was able to travel to many countries throughout Europe and beyond! As the Operations Manager, Erin has been able to employ her project management skills, and she's also really enjoying the hands-on aspect of the position delivering backpacks to schools and working in the pantry. She even brought home a piece of the pantry with her, when a kitten, now named Ragu, wandered into the pantry during Christmas services.

Dinelle Putman - Programs Manager

Meet our Program Manager, Dinelle Putman! Dinelle is from Childersburg, Alabama and moved to Santa Rosa Beach in 2016. She joined Food For Thought in April 2018 after working in the banking industry for 15 years. Dinelle learned about FFT during a volunteer experience in the pantry, after which she decided to contact us about a job opportunity. Dinelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends and takes advantage of living at the beach as much as possible.

Nicole Lande - Special Programs Coordinator

Meet our Specials Programs Coordinators, Nicole Lande! Nicole joined the  Food For Thought team in August 2017. She grew up in Colorado and traded snow in for the beach when she moved to Destin in middle school. She attended Niceville High School, and graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2017 with a degree in Event Management. Nicole’s favorite part of the week is cooking with the kids from AMI and Walton Academy in the Emeril Lagasse Full Circle Kitchen. She’s also an avid reader, so on Sundays you can usually find her at her book club with her mom. Nicole never fails to make you laugh or smile, so if you see a someone doing a goofy dance in the pantry, that’s likely her!

Stephanie Groves - Operations Coordinator

Meet our Operations Coordinator, Stephanie Groves! Stephanie joined Food For Thought in March 2018 and is thrilled to be a part of the team. She lives in Destin with her soon-to-be husband and her lab puppy. She attended Choctaw High School and is a graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Sociology. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time outside with her fiancé, family and friends, eating ice cream, and listening to her new favorite podcast with Dax Shepard.