In 2025, FISH of Sanibel-Captiva continued to show what’s possible when a community comes together with commitment, heart, and a shared belief that neighbors help neighbors.
As a United Way Resiliency Hub, FISH serves as a centralized, trusted community organization where individuals and families can access one-stop, wrap-around support. On any given day, that may look like help from the food pantry, case management, job readiness support, or connections to health and wellness services. During ‘grey skies’, FISH also becomes a critical distribution site, providing essentials such as food, water, tarps, and emergency supplies—meeting neighbors in times of crisis, when they need it most.
Throughout the year, FISH distributed more than 294,000 pounds of food through nearly 6,900 food pantry visits, helping ensure island neighbors had access to nutritious meals during times of uncertainty, SNAP benefit reductions, and rising costs. Behind those numbers are families stretching paychecks, seniors living on fixed incomes, and workers rebuilding after storms or personal setbacks—and the donors who made that support possible.
One of the most powerful measures of FISH’s impact in 2025 was the extraordinary generosity of its volunteers. A total of 281 volunteers gave 5,460 hours of their time—equaling an estimated $180,000 in donated service. From packing food and preparing meals to making reassurance calls and supporting recovery efforts, volunteers multiplied the impact of every donor dollar, allowing FISH to reach more people and respond quickly when needed.
Those combined efforts supported 5,304 instances of case management, helping neighbors navigate everything from financial hardship to recovery planning and next steps toward stability. In addition, FISH provided 337 instances of direct financial assistance—often the bridge that kept someone housed, working, and moving forward.
For many clients, the support is life-changing.
“Without FISH, I don’t know how I would have gotten through this year,” shared one neighbor. “They didn’t just help me with food and bills—they helped me see a way forward.”
Senior services remained a key service area of FISH’s work in 2025, with 1,138 reassurance calls made to island seniors and 625 Friendly Faces lunches served—creating connection and peace of mind for older neighbors who might otherwise feel isolated.
“Every number represents a person, a family, or a moment when someone needed help and found it,” said Maria Espinoza, Executive Director of FISH of Sanibel-Captiva. “Our donors and volunteers make that possible. Their generosity doesn’t just meet immediate needs—it helps people become stable again and move forward with confidence.”
More than 85% of every dollar invested in FISH goes directly to programs and services, ensuring that community support translates into assistance where it matters most—whether that’s a bag of groceries, a reassuring phone call, or help navigating a difficult situation.
FISH extends its deepest gratitude to the donors, grantors, volunteers, and community partners who stood with the organization throughout 2025. Their generosity filled gaps, removed obstacles, and strengthened the safety net for neighbors across Sanibel and Captiva.
There are many ways to be part of this work. Community members interested in volunteering can lend their time and talents to support food programs, senior services, recovery efforts, and more—making a real difference in the community. Those looking to deepen their connection can join the Neighbor Network, a growing group of local businesses and individuals who proudly stand with FISH, help spread awareness, and ensure neighbors know where to turn in times of need. And for those able to give financially, donations of any size directly support programs that help people move forward during life’s most challenging moments.
Together, this community continues to prove that when people invest in people, lives are changed.
