We are so thankful for our community, partners, volunteers and supporters! Here's how we provide our 'neighbors helping neighbors' assistance as we have for nearly 45 years.

Backpacks, Storm Helpers, and Community Fun: Annual Back to School Event for 2026

This year, we are expanding our 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. Continue Reading

Public Speaking Workshop Series

You're invited to Part Two of our public speaking workshop series, “Public Speaking Part Two: Neuro Creativity & Unlock Speech Features for Successful Delivery". The workshop will take place Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Florida Trust Wealth Management, 2450 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957

The session will help build confidence, strengthen communication skills, and discover techniques to become a more engaging and effective speaker. RSVPs are required by July 22, 2026 here: https://publicspeaking2.rsvpify.com. Continue reading

R.E.A.D.Y. Self-Defense for Women Workshop

Women and teens ages 13 and older are invited to take part in R.E.A.D.Y. (Respond with Empowerment & Awareness to Defend Yourself), a free, two-hour self-defense class designed to build confidence, awareness, and practical safety skills. The program will be held on Thursday, July 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Parish Hall, Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. RSVPs requested by July 13 -- click here

Led by Chelsea Long, Crime Prevention Practitioner with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the class includes active participation in situational awareness exercises, crisis rehearsal, and basic self-defense techniques. Continue reading

FISH Backpack Program Helps Ensure Children Have Food Beyond the School Day

Hunger does not end when the school bell rings. For some children, evenings, weekends, school breaks, and holidays can mean uncertainty about where their next meal will come from. Through its year round Backpack Program, FISH of SanCap helps bridge that gap by providing children with nutritious, easy to prepare foods they can take home and access when school meals are unavailable. The program serves children throughout the year, recognizing that food insecurity does not follow the academic calendar. Continue reading

FISH Food Pantry Sees Continued Need as National Food Insecurity Rises

A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found a "remarkable increase in food insecurity," particularly among lower income households, families with children, and those already facing financial strain. At FISH of Sanibel-Captiva, those national trends reflect what staff and volunteers hear every day.

Families who once donated groceries are now asking for help. Seniors on fixed incomes are making difficult choices between groceries, medications, and utility bills. Working adults with full time jobs are finding that paychecks no longer stretch far enough to cover rising expenses. Continue reading

Updated Hurricane Preparedness Resource Packet

With hurricane season beginning, we are helping island residents, workers and families prepare ahead of potential storms. As a United Way Resiliency Hub, we provide daily support through food programs, senior services, financial assistance, health and wellness support and more, while also serving as a critical resource during disasters and community emergencies. Continue reading

Neighbors in Readiness

Your Monthly Guide to Staying Safe and Prepared

Neighbors in Readiness is designed to help residents take practical, manageable steps to stay safe, informed, and resilient throughout the year.

July — “Stay Connected When It Matters Most"

When storms disrupt power and cell service, staying connected can be challenging — but a little planning now can keep you in touch when it counts most. Quick Actions:

1. Sign up for alerts. Make sure you’re registered with AlertLee, the City of Sanibel, and your homeowners’ association or condo management for local updates. 
2. Create a neighborhood contact list. Exchange phone numbers and emails with neighbors — especially those who may need extra help or who leave the island seasonally. 
3. Choose a family communication method. Texts often go through when calls don’t. Set up a group chat or pick an out-of-town contact everyone can check in with. 
4. Back up your tech. Keep a portable charger or power bank ready, and store important phone numbers on paper too. 
5. Stay tuned locally. Know which AM/FM radio stations provide storm updates and where you can find local info if the internet is down 

Island Insight:

After major storms, community connections often become our strongest lifelines. A quick check-in or shared update can make a huge difference — especially for older neighbors or families without power. Continue reading

FISH Friendly Faces Luncheon to Feature Island Artist and Longtime Resident Dave Hoggatt

FISH of SanCap invites the community to its July Friendly Faces Luncheon on Tuesday, July 14, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The luncheon will be held at Sanibel Community Church located at 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. The featured speaker will be longtime Sanibel resident and artist Dave Hoggatt, who will share stories spanning more than four decades on the island. Continue reading

FISH of Sanibel Captiva Foundation Welcomes Jeff Cory to Board of Directors

The FISH of Sanibel Captiva Foundation is pleased to welcome Jeff Cory to its Board of Directors, bringing more than 30 years of experience serving older adults and helping families plan for the future.

Throughout his career, Cory has dedicated himself to improving the lives of seniors through leadership, education, financial planning, and fiduciary services. He previously served as the Founding Executive Director of The Legacy Foundation at Shell Point, where he helped build a culture of charitable giving and long-term support for residents and programs. Continue reading

JOG N JAM Registration & Tickets Available Now!

Saturday, November 7, 2026 – The 10K, 5K, and Kids Fun Run return to the Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. Register here.

Saturday, December 5, 2026 – The celebration continues at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort, 15951 Captiva Dr, Captiva, FL 33924, with the JOG N JAM beach concert, featuring the Ben Allen Band. Register here.

We are excited to announce the return of the popular JOG N JAM hats, along with the debut of a limited edition patriotic tie dye T-shirt created in honor of America’s 250th birthday celebration. The JOG N JAM merchandise gives supporters another way to be part of an event that has become a favorite island tradition.

We are so proud of our Social Services Director, Nitza Lopez (third from right), for her years of dedication and service to Zonta Sanibel-Captiva and for her recent induction to the 2026–2027 Zonta Board of Directors!

Congratulations, Nitza, on this well-deserved achievement. Your commitment to serving our community and empowering others continues to inspire us all!

Sanibel City Employees Give Back Through Community Food Drive

news release provided

In a heartfelt show of gratitude and community spirit, the City of Sanibel’s Employee Recognition Committee organized an employee food drive to support FISH, and give back to the community they proudly serve.

For many city employees, the effort was personal. Over the past several years, Sanibel has faced unprecedented challenges from multiple hurricanes that impacted families and businesses across the island. Throughout those difficult times, the Sanibel community consistently stepped forward to support city staff with encouragement, assistance, and unwavering support. The drive reflected the strong bond between the city’s workforce and the residents they serve each and every day.

“Sanibel has always been a community that cares for one another,” said Human Resources Director, Crystal Mansell. “After everything this community has done to support city staff during and after the storms, we wanted to show our appreciation by helping others in need. The City of Sanibel is proud of its employees for demonstrating the compassion, resilience, and generosity that make Sanibel such a special place to live and work. Their efforts serve as another reminder that, on Sanibel, neighbors continue to stand together —especially during times of need.”

FISH's Director of Philanthropic Giving, Ashley Price Moderates Women in Business Panel

FISH's Director of Philanthropic Giving, Ashley Price, had the honor of moderating the GFMCC Women in Business “Business of Art” panel last month. The conversation highlighted the powerful economic impact of the arts in Lee County and how investing in creativity strengthens every part of our local economy.

As the current Women in Business Chair, Ashley led the volunteer committee which helps raise scholarship funds for non‑traditional students at FGCU and FSW. She also connected with several Southwest Florida leaders, including John Lai, President & CEO of the Chamber of Sanibel Captiva and Fort Myers, and former FISH board member, John Talmage, Director of Economic Development for Lee County and the Horizon Council. 

Sanibel Public Library's Island Adventures Summer Reading

FISH's Executive Assistant Kim Baker attended the Sanibel Public Library's Island Adventures Summer Reading Kickoff Party featuring games and prizes to celebrate the start of the program. Participants register through the Beanstack app and log their reading minutes — books, ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines all count. For every 250 minutes read, the library will donate 1 book to Golisano Children's Hospital!

Registration is still open and is now available to adults as well (new since last year): https://sanlib.beanstack.org/reader365

Photo credit: Kristin Van Olst

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SMS (Text) Communications Now Available | Let's connect! Sign up to receive timely, relevant updates—whether it’s about food pantry hours, senior programming, wellness checks, or emergency alerts. Opt In to Text Messaging from FISH.

Stay Connected with FISH | News, Stories & More | Want to stay in the know about what’s happening at FISH? Visit our blog and website for the latest updates, inspiring stories, upcoming events, and more.

Interested in Volunteering or Hosting a Day of Service? | Whether you’re an individual, a business, or a group looking to give back, it’s easy to connect with FISH. Contact MJ, our Office and Volunteer Manager, at maryjean@fishofsancap.org

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS, PARTNERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS

F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva

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