Fish of Sanibel-Captiva

A human services organization focused on 'neighbors helping neighbors' with a vision to create communities where all people have the support they need to thrive. Food programs - the food pantry provides nutritious, supplemental groceries from the walk-in center, five days a week, allowing community members to shop for the resources they need. In 2020, Fish distributed 258,980 pounds of food through 5,967 visitors to the food pantry, and 825 families were served equating to 213,316 meals. The meals-by-fish program provides hot, fresh meals through delivery for community members who have mobility constraints. In 2021, volunteers delivered 5,090 meals. The backpack program provides children with nutritious foods and snacks to sustain them over the weekends and school breaks. In 2021, students received 4,294 backpacks of food. Fish also provides baskets with all the fixings for easter, thanksgiving and christmas meals. During 2021, 562 baskets were distributed. Education programs - Fish empowers people through education and correctedness. The adult education scholarship program encourages community members to continue their education, seek additional job training or attain professional certifications in order to move forward in their careers or shift gears into a field theyre not currently in. Fish offers scholarships for afterschool care, summer camp and supplemental educational opportunities throughout the year to provide students a safe and enriching program outside of school. Fish also provides community education through monthly workshops on topics ranging from mental health, financial management and the aging process to hands-on classes like cooking and nutrition. Community outreach programs - Fish is keenly focused on issues pertaining to the senior population on the islands, including isolation and loneliness. Through a variety of programs, the goal is for islanders to remain healthy, independent, engaged as they age and to age in a place with dignity. Fish volunteers enrich the lives of many through personal connections, visits, and daily reassurance calls. The friendly faces luncheon held once a month provides a social event with a theme, games and prizess and socialization while enjoying a delicious meal. The hurricane program provides community members with a comprehensive information packet specific to the needs of islanders during hurricane season. Each packet includes information on shelters, evacuation, preparation, pets during a storm, applications for special needs shelters and city of sanibel re-entry passes, and more. Fish also provides non-emergency transportation for individuals needing transportation for on-island errands, such as non- emergent medical, dental, church, shopping, banking or off-island medical appointments by Fish volunteer drivers. Due to covid-19 restrictions, the transportation services were not available for most of 2021. Helping hands & financial assistance - the key to navigating any crisis is having support and a plan and the helping hands program offers both. Community members in a financial crisis may apply for assistance through the social services department to help with essential costs such as rent, utilities, medical bills and other through the emergency financial assistance program. In 2021, Fish provided financial assistance on 847 occasions to those in need.