FISH of SANCAP has been at the forefront of disaster response and recovery for the Sanibel and Captiva communities, stepping up to help neighbors rebuild their lives after a relentless series of storms over a two-year period. Thanks to funding from SBP (St. Bernard Project)*, FISH has been able to continue providing critical assistance, helping survivors of year 2022 Hurricane Ian navigate the long road to recovery.
Since Hurricane Ian devastated the region, FISH has remained committed to supporting local families, seniors, and workers facing ongoing challenges. The SBP grant is intended to fund long-term home repairs from Hurricane Ian through FISH’s Long-Term Recovery Program.
When back-to-back storms – Hurricanes Helene and Milton — forced a shift in response to Ian recovery, FISH quickly adapted, prioritizing immediate disaster relief to meet the most urgent needs, while continuing to help survivors from Hurricane Ian. Some however are now dealing with a ‘triple-whammy’ that included original damage from Ian, followed by flooding from Helene and additional damage and flooding from Milton.
“It’s been an ongoing struggle for many neighbors,” said Nitza Lopez, Social Services Director at FISH. “Families living in unrepaired homes from Ian found themselves in need of food, water, and clean-up supplies from Helene and Milton. The reality is that recovery isn’t a straight path—sometimes we have to adjust our plans to make sure people have what they need in the moment.”
While the most recent storms delayed Hurricane Ian repairs in some cases, FISH still made a significant impact, assisting residents. One of the many success stories is that of a resident whose sidewalk and entry way into her home were completely washed away during Ian. Without a safe way to enter or exit her home, daily life became incredibly difficult.
“I can’t even begin to explain what a difference FISH has made in my life,” she shared. “After the storm, I was terrified to leave my house because I was afraid of falling. But thanks to FISH, I now have a safe, sturdy walkway again. They helped with everything—finding a contractor, dealing with permitting, and making sure the work was done right. Knowing they were in my corner gave me a sense of security I hadn’t felt in a long time.”
Challenges remain, particularly for those whose homes have been hit three times—by Ian, Helene, and Milton. Many of these households have exhausted their savings on previous repairs, evacuations, or temporary lodging, leaving them without resources to rebuild yet again. Additionally, volunteer groups that often assist with rebuilding efforts were redirected to areas deemed more critically impacted, making it even harder for FISH to secure support for the community.
Despite these obstacles, FISH remains dedicated to helping neighbors recover, rebuild, and regain stability. Funding like that from SBP has played a crucial role in these efforts, and FISH continues to seek additional resources to meet the growing needs of residents and workers on the islands.
“Recovery takes time, but we’re in it for the long haul,” said Lopez. “We will keep pushing forward, finding ways to get people the help they need, whether it’s repairing a home, restocking a refrigerator with food, or simply being a source of hope when it’s needed most.”
For additional information on SBP, visit https://www.sbpusa.org/
