Community Food Pantry Staff

MONICA WILSON, DIRECTOR

Monica began serving in the food pantry in late 2009. She was inspired to volunteer by one of her children, after he witnessed a family he knew in need at Village Presbyterian Church. He was battling cancer at the time and was astonished that families were in need of food in his neighborhood. Monica served as a lead volunteer of the Community Food Pantry until 2015 when the need came for a staff Director. She is humbled how it continues to serve the needs of those underserved in our community.   This is truly a passion for helping those in need beyond food insecurity for Monica, but for helping the whole person.

Monica has lived in Tampa most of her life, attending Hillsborough County Public Schools and the University of South Florida.  Monica is married for over 25 years to a 20-year retired U.S. Army veteran, Reggie, who now works for the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs in his second career. He is a regular volunteer of the Community Food Pantry and can be found directing traffic on the weekend. They have four amazing children who keep them busy even the two that are adults! She loves the water, the beach in all seasons, fishing and all Tampa Bay sports! She is a Gator fan but roots for most Florida teams.

Monica is a board member for Feeding Tampa Bay since 2018 and is humbled by the work done by the food bank. She was awarded the Community Hero Award in 2018, is on the board for the Carrollwood Kiwanis Club and is a member of the Carrollwood Area Business Association (CABA) where the Community Food Pantry was the non-profit member of the year in 2021 notably for the work done for the community during the pandemic. She remains an active parent for her sons high school, his football team and loves helping others at her core.

BETH DHONDT, GRANT AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Beth is a semi-native Floridian, after having moved here from the arctic tundra of Pennsylvania. She is a Penn State alum with a BA in English (hence the grant writing!) but has spent most of her career life in some sort of financial management, from internal audit to operations to compliance. Go figure? She has two adult daughters who live in Boston, one a UF grad and the other a FSU grad - house divided. She has a husband of over 35 years, and they are now empty-nesters. Mike is the lead Operations Coordinator for the Community Food Pantry.

Beth enjoys golf and discovering new local craft beer as well as out-of-the-way eating establishments with her family and friends. Contributing to the CFP keeps her skills sharp, her heart full and her head grounded.

Beth's passion to help others and assuring the CFP runs efficiently and in compliance in all areas makes the CFP one of the best in Tampa. We are blessed she is on our team!

THERESA GORSKI, PANTRY LEAD

Theresa grew up in Buffalo and then went to college in Pennsylvania where she met her husband of 22 years. Graduating with a BA in English and Secondary Education, she moved to Florida to be closer to her parents who relocated to escape the snow. Theresa taught high school English for several years and then became a stay-at-home mom until both of her girls were in high school themselves. After volunteering with both of her children at the food pantry while they were growing up, Theresa became an official employee serving as the Pantry Lead in 2024. She genuinely looks forward to being at the pantry and spending time with all of the volunteers doing what they can to offer a dignified helping hand up to those in the community. Theresa has learned that the volunteers, employees, and clients at the food pantry ALL benefit from being there. It is an incredibly special place where everyone is able to make meaningful connections and contribute in a positive way - all while feeling at home. In her free time she loves doing anything with her family, embarrassing her children as often as possible, spending time at the beach, and is constantly trying to find the best french fries in Tampa.    

SAM GONZALEZ

Sam is our newest staff member and is a native Floridian and the newest employee at The Community Food Pantry. He is an incredibly hard worker and has a background working in several family businesses while taking pride in some business ventures of his own. Sam began as a volunteer at the food pantry and now serves as the Assistant Operations Coordinator. The fun and inviting atmosphere of The Community Food Pantry along with being able to spend time with good people who want to help others made it easy to accept the job offer and an incredibly fulfilling way to spend his time. When not at the pantry, Sam can be found spending time with family or friends, enjoying the beauty and sense of calm found at the beach (especially at night), fishing anywhere he can take his boat, and enjoying nature. His favorite local places to enjoy in Florida are Destin and Everglades City. No matter where he finds himself, Sam is always exploring new places to eat and new adventures to have.