When hurricanes come and go, the damage they leave behind can stay long after the skies clear. For residents like “Linda,” the road to recovery has been long and uncertain. Thanks to the Helping Hands Emergency Financial Assistance Rent Program at FISH OF SANCAP — funded by a generous grant from The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation — hope found its way back into Linda’s life at a time she needed it most.
After suffering near-total damage to her Sanibel home from Hurricane Ian and then facing new setbacks after Hurricane Milton, Linda and her partner, who is battling advanced cancer, found themselves displaced once again. Living in hotels with their pets, juggling mounting expenses on credit cards, and jumping through insurance hurdles left them emotionally and financially drained.
That’s when Linda turned to FISH, an organization she knew had always been there for the community. Sitting down with the FISH team, she received not only two months of mortgage help to ease the financial strain, but also the comfort of knowing someone truly cared and was there to listen.
“The weight that was lifted from me was far beyond the financial,” Linda shared. “The FISH team listened to my story. They provided emotional support at a time I needed it most. I left their relief center with a sense of strength I hadn’t felt in a long time.”
Linda’s story is just one example of the many lives touched by FISH’s quiet but powerful presence on Sanibel and Captiva. Through programs like Helping Hands, FISH assists neighbors through some of life’s hardest moments — whether facing job loss, serious illness, or the aftermath of a storm.
“We’re grateful to The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation for helping make this program possible,” said Maria Espinoza, Executive Director of FISH. “It’s because of their generosity that we can continue to be a lifeline to our neighbors when they’re at their most vulnerable.”
No matter what challenges come — from storms to rising costs — FISH is here. Programs like Helping Hands allow FISH to offer help and a reminder that no one has to face hard times alone.
FISH’s Helping Hands Program provides emergency financial assistance for a variety of needs — from rent or mortgage payments to utilities, medical or dental expenses, and other urgent situations. Each request is carefully reviewed, ensuring individuals and families receive the right support at the right time. For more information about FISH OF SANCAP’s Helping Hands Program and the many ways they serve the community, visit www.fishofsancap.org or call 239-472-4775.
