FISH of SanCap is seeing a significant increase in families turning to its Youth Backpack Program—an after-school and weekend food program that provides easy-to-prepare meals and snacks for children whose families live or work on the islands.
While need has steadily grown this year, the most recent surge follows changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Many households have seen their benefits reduced or delayed, leaving parents scrambling to stretch limited food budgets. For families already managing high cost of living and ongoing hurricane recovery challenges, even small reductions in SNAP support can make daily life more challenging.
The Backpack Program helps fill those gaps, ensuring children have reliable access to food they enjoy and can prepare on their own—especially on weekends, school holidays or when caregivers are working long hours. Research consistently shows that children facing food insecurity are more likely to struggle in school, have difficulty focusing, and miss more classroom time. Something as simple as having a stocked backpack for the weekend can make all the difference.
Parents who rely on the program share powerful stories about what these bags mean for their families. One parent wrote, “The backpacks are very good for the children because they have things they like and are very happy to have food. Even when I finish receiving my paychecks, I can’t always provide these things for them by myself. I thank you very much, they receive a lot of items to eat which is so helpful.”
Another parent shared, “It breaks my heart that I struggle to feed my kids but everything is so expensive. Many times, I will go without eating or eat something simple like eggs from the FISH food pantry so they can have more food. This backpack program is a life saver, and my kids enjoy making things for themselves when I am at work. It’s hard being a single mom of three, but with FISH’s help, we are finding a way to make it work.”
The program is partially funded by grants and community support. FISH extends heartfelt thanks to Suncoast Credit Union, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Foundation, the Rotary Club of Sanibel & Captiva and the Lee County Bar Association for helping to keep the backpacks filled. Their continued partnership ensures no child goes hungry or wonders where their next meal will come from.
Merari Salinas, Food Programs Manager at FISH says, “Families who were just barely managing before are now struggling more than ever, some because of SNAP reductions, others due to lack of work hours or cost of living expenses. The Backpack Program gives kids the comfort of knowing they’ll have something to eat after school and during the weekend. From time to time, we’re even able to add small treats as a fun gesture during holidays or special days—like the ‘boo bags’ we included for Halloween that the kids absolutely loved.”
Maria Espinoza, Executive Director of FISH, added, “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our grantors and donors who make this program possible. Their support helps us give kids the nourishment they need and gives parents a little breathing room during difficult times. This community shows again and again that it takes care of each other, and we couldn’t do this work without them.”
FISH remains committed to helping families navigate tough times with dignity and care. To support the Youth Backpack Program or learn more about other FISH food programs and resources, please contact Merari Salinas at 239-472-4775 or by email at merari@fishofsancap.org. To learn more about FISH and how you can get involved, visit www.fishofsancap.org or call 239-472-4775.
