Back-to-school season is approaching, and FISH of SanCap is again helping students prepare for a successful school year. This year, the organization is expanding its annual Back to School program into a fun, interactive, one-stop community event that combines school supply distribution, youth hurricane preparedness activities, and valuable community resources for families.
Families who live or work on Sanibel or Captiva and have children in Pre-K through 12th grade are encouraged to register and attend. Registration is through Merari Puente, merari@fishofsancap.org.
The 2026 Back to School Distribution and Youth Storm Readiness Event is scheduled for July 29 at Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, beginning at 9:00a through 5:00p.
Families will also have an opportunity to learn more about FISH’s Youth Meal Backpack Program, which provides children with kid-friendly, nutritious foods during weekends, school breaks, and other times when school meals are unavailable. Information about enrollment and eligibility will be available during the event, helping families connect with year-round support beyond the start of the school year.
In 2025, FISH helped prepare more than 300 students for the school year. With the continued rise in the cost of school supplies, clothing, and household necessities, many families continue to face difficult decisions about how to stretch their budgets.
FISH is also inviting the community to support the annual Back to School Supply Drive. Donations of backpacks, notebooks, pencils, headphones, calculators, folders, and other school essentials may be dropped off at participating community locations including Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, A Little Adventure, Bank of the Islands, Jerry’s Foods, SanCap Pak-N-Ship, the Magic Bus, the Sanibel Library or at the FISH office. Visit the FISH social media pages for additional details on drop off points and a QR code linking to the supplies wish list.
“Every child deserves to start the school year with the tools they need to succeed,” said Merari Puente, Food Programs Manager at FISH. “When families are already balancing rising costs for housing, groceries, transportation, and other necessities, school supplies can create an added financial burden. This distribution helps ease that pressure while giving students a strong start to the school year. Thanks to the generosity of our community, children can receive the supplies they need to walk into the classroom feeling confident, supported, and ready to learn.”
Many of FISH’s youth programs, including Back to School, Youth Meal Backpack and Youth Scholarship Programs, are made possible through the support of grant funders and community partners. FISH extends its gratitude to the Sanibel Captiva Kiwanis Club, the Sanibel Captiva Rotary Club, Suncoast Credit Union, the Lee County Bar Association, Captiva Chapel by the Sea, generous donors, and local business supporters who help ensure island children have access to the resources they need to learn, grow, and thrive throughout the year.
This year, families will experience more than a traditional backpack pickup. Children are strongly encouraged to attend in person and take part in hands-on activities designed to make hurricane preparedness easy to understand, including the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. Young participants can complete a storm readiness scavenger hunt to gather items for a basic emergency kit, create a community paper chain, receive a youth hurricane preparedness activity booklet, earn an official “Storm Helper” badge, and participate in games and activities focused on safety and preparedness.
Project Dentist will also be on site distributing dental care supplies and sharing age-appropriate education about the importance of healthy dental habits. School appropriate clothing, provided through the organization’s partnership with United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades, will also be available. Sanibel Fire & Rescue will be on-site with a fire truck display from 9:00-11:00a.
Additional community partners may include the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Ice Cream Truck and other community partners.
“We wanted to create something that goes beyond handing out supplies,” said Simon Robson, Community Outreach & Resiliency Director. “This event brings together education, preparedness, and community in a way that’s fun for children and useful for parents. We hope families leave with what they need for the classroom, greater confidence heading into hurricane season, and the reassurance that FISH is here to support them throughout the year.”
Photos and video may be taken during the event for educational and promotional purposes. Families who prefer not to be photographed should notify staff during check-in.
Families interested in receiving supplies or learning more about the event should contact Merari Puente at merari@fishofsancap.org or call 239-472-4775.
