FISH OF SANCAP extends heartfelt gratitude to The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation (TSGCF) for their generous support of the organization’s Helping Hands Financial Assistance and Food Pantry programs. Their contribution is making an immediate difference in the lives of families, seniors, and individuals across Sanibel and Captiva who are facing financial hardship.
In recent years, islanders have faced a harsh series of hardships—from the widespread destruction of Hurricane Ian to the compounding impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. These events, combined with rising housing costs, reduced work hours, job losses, and unexpected medical expenses, have left many struggling to stay afloat. FISH has witnessed a growing demand for financial assistance, as individuals and families are forced to make difficult choices between paying for rent, groceries, or vital prescriptions. In 2024 alone, FISH provided 460 instances of financial assistance, much of it to help cover rent, and conducted 5,823 case management sessions, working closely with clients to create plans toward long-term stability and recovery.
“Thanks to the generosity of our Sanctuary members we are happy to be the proud sponsors of the Helping Hands Financial Assistance and Food Pantry Programs,” said Lisa Schmidlin, President of the TSGCF. This grant is making an immediate difference in the lives of families, seniors and individuals across Sanibel and Captiva who are facing financial hardship.
“Many of our clients come to us when they’re one or two months behind on rent and simply can’t catch up,” says Nitza Lopez, Social Services Director at FISH. “Thanks to The Sanctuary Foundation, we’re able to offer a lifeline—financial support that stabilizes their housing and helps them avoid the threat of eviction.” The Helping Hands Financial Assistance Program is available to island residents and workforce members with a connection to Sanibel or Captiva; certain documentation is required, and those seeking support are encouraged to call Nitza Lopez at FISH for more information.
This year, The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation also chose to support the FISH Food Pantry, recognizing the growing need for access to nutritious food across the islands. In 2024, FISH recorded 7,079 visits to its Food Pantry—a number expected to rise by the end of 2025. The summer months are particularly difficult, as seasonal work slows, kids are out of school and eating more at home, and budgets are stretched even thinner. In Lee County, over 60,000 residents experience food insecurity, and many who use the FISH pantry never imagined they’d need this kind of help.
“Our pantry isn’t just about food—it’s about dignity, health, and hope,” says Maria Espinoza, Executive Director of FISH. “We’ve heard from families who skip meals so their children can eat, and from seniors who ration medication to afford groceries. With The Sanctuary Foundation’s support, we’re ensuring no one has to make those impossible choices alone.”
The FISH Food Pantry provides access to shelf-stable items, fresh produce, frozen meats, dairy, and essential personal care items. It’s open five days a week, with evening hours on Tuesday and Thursday, serving those who live or work on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Volunteers also deliver groceries to those who are homebound or without transportation.
Both the Helping Hands and Food Pantry programs reflect FISH’s purpose, to lend a hand to neighbors in need, helping them move from crisis to stability. With continued community support, FISH is meeting growing needs with compassion, commitment, and care.
To learn more about the programs of FISH or to support their mission, please contact Maria Espinoza, Executive Director. About The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation: The mission of The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation is to support nonprofits that positively impact the lives of people in need living or working on Sanibel or Captiva and to provide education scholarship grants and emergency grants to Sanctuary employees and their families.
