FISH OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA INC

A SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON "NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS" WITH A VISION TO CREATE COMMUNITIES WHERE ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO THRIVE. FOOD PROGRAMS - THE FOOD PANTRY PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS, SUPPLEMENTAL GROCERIES FIVE DAYS A WEEK, ALLOWING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHOP FOR THE RESOURCES THEY NEED. IN 2024, FISH DISTRIBUTED 168,023 POUNDS OF FOOD TO 7,079 VISITORS TO THE FOOD PANTRY. THE MEALS-BY-FISH PROGRAM PROVIDES HOT, FRESH MEALS THROUGH DELIVERY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE MOBILITY CONSTRAINTS. IN 2024, VOLUNTEERS DELIVERED 1,249 MEALS TO ISLANDERS. THE BACKPACK PROGRAM PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH NUTRITIOUS FOODS AND SNACKS TO SUSTAIN THEM OVER THE WEEKENDS AND DURING SCHOOL BREAKS. IN 2024, STUDENTS RECEIVED 844 BACKPACKS OF FOOD. FISH ALSO PROVIDES BASKETS WITH ALL THE FIXINGS FOR EASTER, THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS MEALS. DURING 2023, 809 HOLIDAY MEALS WERE DISTRIBUTED. ADDITIONALLY, FISH PROVIDED 5,680 EMERGENCY MEALS TO THOSE AFFECTED BY HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON. EDUCATION PROGRAMS - FISH EMPOWERS PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATION AND CORRECTEDNESS. THE ADULT EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, SEEK ADDITIONAL JOB TRAINING OR ATTAIN PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS, IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD IN THEIR CAREERS OR SHIFT GEARS INTO A FIELD THEY'RE NOT CURRENTLY IN. FISH OFFERS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AFTERSCHOOL CARE, SUMMER CAMP AND SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A SAFE AND ENRICHING PROGRAM OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. THIS YEAR WE OFFERED A DISASTER RECOVERY HEALING CAMP TO CHILDRED AGED 5-12 AT NO COST TO FAMILIES. FISH ALSO PROVIDES COMMUNITY EDUCATION THROUGH MONTHLY WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND THE AGING PROCESS AND MORE. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS - FISH IS KEENLY FOCUSED ON ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE SENIOR POPULATION ON THE ISLANDS, INCLUDING ISOLATION AND LONELINESS. THROUGH A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS, THE GOAL IS FOR ISLANDERS TO REMAIN HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT AND ENGAGED AS THEY AGE AND TO AGE IN PLACE WITH DIGNITY. FISH VOLUNTEERS ENRICH THE LIVES OF MANY THROUGH PERSONAL CONNECTIONS, VISITS, AND DAILY REASSURANCE CALLS. THE FRIENDLY FACES LUNCHEON HELD ONCE A MONTH PROVIDES A SOCIAL EVENT WITH A THEME, GAMES, PRIZES AND SOCIALIZATION, WHILE ENJOYING A DELICIOUS MEAL. THE HURRICANE PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION PACKET SPECIFIC TO THE NEEDS OF ISLANDERS DURING HURRICANE SEASON. EACH PACKET INCLUDES INFORATION ON SHELTERS, EVACUATION PREPARATION, PETS DURING A STORM, APPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTERS, CITY OF SANIBEL RE-ENTRY PASSES AND MORE. FISH ALSO PROVIDES NON-EMERGENCY TRANSPORTATION FOR INDIVIDUALS NEEDING TRANSPORTATION FOR ON-ISLAND ERRANDS, SUCH AS NON- EMERGENT MEDICAL, DENTAL, CHURCH, SHOPPING, BANKING OR OFF-ISLAND MEDICAL APPOINTMENST BY FISH VOLUNTEER DRIVERS. HELPING HANDS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - THE KEY TO NAVIGATING ANY CRISIS IS HAVING SUPPORT AND A PLAN. THE HELPING HANDS PROGRAM OFFERS BOTH. COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS MAY APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO HELP WITH ESSENTIAL COSTS SUCH AS RENT, UTILITIES, MEDICAL BILLS AND OTHER TRHOUGH THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. IN 2024, FISH PROVIDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON 460 OCCASIONS TO THOSE IN NEED AND PROVIDED 5,823 INSTANCES OF CASE MANAGEMENT. DISASTER ASSISTANCE - SINCE HURRICANE IAN IN 2022, THROUGHOUT 2023 AND SINCE HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON IN 2025, FISH HAS BEEN ASSISTING RESIDENTS AND THE WORKFORCE TO OBTAIN REBUILDING SUPPLIES AND FURNISHINGS AND HAVE FORMED THE APPROPRIATE PARTNERSHIPS TO DISTRIBUTE NECESSARY ITEMS FOR FOLKS TO BEGIN THEIR RECOVERY PROCESS. FISH SUPPLIED RESIDENTS WITH DRYWALL, BICYCLES, SPACKLE, MATTRESSES, GRILLS FOR COOKING AND FURNISHINGS. FISH PROVIDED EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RENT/ MORTGAGE, UTILITY AND MEDICAL PURPOSES. FISH SUPPLIED ISLAND NEIGHBORS WITH SHELF STABLE FOOD, WATER, CLEANING SUPPLIES AND OTHER ESSENTIALS FOR DAY-TO-DAY LIVING. IN 2024, FISH DISTRIBUTED 2,226 MUCH NEEDED MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FOR DISASTER RECOVERY. ADDITIONALLY, 586 HURRICANE PACKETS WERE DISTRIBUTED.