FISH OF SANCAP, the only wrap-around social service organization on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, continues to be a lifeline for the community. For more than 40 years, FISH has embodied the spirit of “neighbors helping neighbors,” filling critical gaps for residents and the local workforce. Over time, FISH’s services have grown alongside the community’s needs, with their scope broadening to include disaster recovery and essential support after the challenges of Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton.
“The road to recovery after these storms has been long and hard for all of us,” says Maria Espinoza, Executive Director of FISH. “But through it all, our community’s strength and the support we’ve received have been incredible. Together, we’ve shown we’re stronger than any storm,” said Maria Espinoza, Executive Director of FISH.
Last year was anything but ordinary for FISH and the community it serves. While still helping neighbors recover from Hurricane Ian, the community endured back-to-back hits from Helene and Milton. As a United Way Resilience Hub, FISH was there every step of the way, helping residents prepare, providing supplies, and offering ongoing support, working tirelessly to meet the needs of their neighbors during a year of persistent challenges.
Hurricanes weren’t the only struggles the community faced. Rising costs of living, housing repairs, and emotional strain continued to weigh heavily on residents and the workforce. Through its four key pillars—Food Programs, Island-Based Education, Senior Services, and Helping Hands—FISH provided comprehensive support to ensure no one was left behind.
In 2024, FISH answered nearly 29,000 service requests for island neighbors, a 21% increase over 2023. They are proud to report 87% of every dollar spent went to FISH programming. Important community impacts include:
- 5,823 Instances of Case Management
- 7,079 Food Pantry Visits and 5,680 Emergency Meals Distributed
- 243 Smile Boxes Delivered to brighten a senior’s day
- 809 Holiday Meals and 312 Families Adopted for the Holidays
- 1,515 Reassurance Calls to Seniors and Others
- 2,226 much needed Miscellaneous Items Distributed
- 460 Instances of Financial Assistance
- 312 Children Provided with School Supplies
- 586 Hurricane Preparedness Packets Distributed
- 1,249 Meals-By-FISH Delivered
- 373 Pieces of Medical Equipment Loaned to those in need
- FISH volunteers provided 6973 hours of service drove 17,609 miles on behalf of FISH and the community
For many, FISH’s work is deeply personal. A single mother of four, who regularly turns to the FISH Food Pantry and Backpack Program for support, shared how much FISH’s financial assistance meant to her during a challenging time. When her roommate was hospitalized with a serious heart condition and couldn’t pay their share of the rent, she suddenly found herself responsible for covering the full amount on her own. To make things worse, her workplace reduced her hours due to storm-related shutdowns, her rent increased, and rising costs for essentials like gas and food added even more pressure.
Determined to make ends meet, she’s been working hard to secure a second job. In the meantime, FISH stepped in, providing one month’s rent and a gas gift card to ease her burden.
“I can’t thank FISH enough for their support during such a difficult time,” she said. “As a single mom, I constantly worry about how to make ends meet, and when my roommate was hospitalized, I thought I was going to lose everything. The assistance with rent and the gas gift card gave me a chance to catch my breath and focus on taking care of my kids. I’m deeply grateful for the kindness and help I’ve received from FISH—it’s made a world of difference for my family.”
Her story is a testament to how FISH provides critical relief when life feels overwhelming, offering hope and stability to those who need it most. Whether providing critical financial assistance, delivering meals, or loaning medical equipment, FISH continues to address the immediate and long-term needs of its neighbors. “We’re not just here during storms,” Espinoza emphasizes. “FISH is here for the community all year long, in both grey and blue skies. Our goal has always been to help our neighbors and make Sanibel and Captiva stronger—one person at a time,” added Espinoza. “For over 40 years, we have remained committed to the betterment of the islands and the southwest Florida community.”
