FISH of SanCap and Jerry’s Foods are continuing a longtime partnership that gives shoppers an easy way to help stock the FISH Food Pantry and support neighbors who may need some extra help with groceries.
Pre-packed food pantry bags are available for purchase at Jerry’s Foods, 1700 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel. The bags include pantry staples requested by FISH and are delivered to the organization for distribution through its Food Programs.
The partnership comes during another busy year for the FISH Food Pantry. From May 1 through July 31, 2026, FISH distributed 128,746 pounds of food through 3,542 pantry visits, serving 682 unduplicated neighbors.
“Those numbers show how important access to food continues to be for people who live and work on the islands,” said Maria Espinoza, FISH Executive Director. “Jerry’s makes it very easy for someone doing their own grocery shopping to add a bag for a neighbor. Those individual purchases add up and help us keep food available for the community.”
FISH operates a choice-model pantry, allowing participants to select food based on their household needs and preferences. Food assistance is available to individuals and families who live or work on Sanibel and Captiva.
The need for food assistance is also part of a larger affordability issue across Lee County. According to the 2025 Lee County Community Health Assessment, 48 percent of Lee County households were below the ALICE Threshold in 2023, meaning their income fell below what was needed to afford basic household expenses. On Sanibel, 31 percent of households were below the ALICE Threshold.[i]
For households with limited income, an unexpected expense, reduction in work hours or increase in monthly costs can quickly affect the amount available for groceries. FISH works with neighbors individually to connect them with food and, when eligible, other assistance that may help stabilize the household.
Food Programs at FISH extend beyond the pantry. They include the year-round Youth Backpack Program, which provides food for approximately 200 children each month, Meals-by-FISH for older adults and homebound neighbors, holiday food assistance and emergency food support.
“Food is often where the conversation starts,” Espinoza said. “Someone may come to FISH because they need groceries, and that gives our team an opportunity to learn what else is happening in the household and whether there are other ways FISH can help.”
The Jerry’s Foods bags provide a direct way for residents and visitors to take part. Shoppers purchase a pre-packed bag designated for FISH, and Jerry’s staff makes sure the donated food reaches the pantry.
“Jerry’s has been a longtime community partner to FISH, supporting food programs in many different ways,” Espinoza said. “From food drives and donations to preparing FISH’s past and upcoming Community Thanksgiving Dinner and programs like these pantry bags, Jerry’s continues to help keep food available for neighbors throughout the year.”
For information about FISH Food Programs or other services, contact FISH at (239) 472-4775.
[i] 2025 Lee County Community Health Assessment [ https://hpcswf.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Lee-County-Needs-Assessment-1.pdf ]
