provided to The Santiva Chronicle
FISH of SANCAP recently put out a plea for help with the uncertainty surrounding federal SNAP benefits, and thanks to a grant from the Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation, the FISH Food Pantry has been able to stay well-stocked and ready to support island workers and residents.
Many families who rely on SNAP remain unsure whether their monthly food benefits will arrive on time or at all. With the islands still quiet and many seasonal residents not yet back, donations have been slower than usual, even as need continues to grow.
The weeks leading into the holidays can be especially difficult for households already trying to stretch limited budgets.
“The Sanctuary Foundation is proud to support those individuals in need of assistance living and working on our islands,” said Lisa Schmidlin, President of the Sanctuary Golf Club.
The Foundation has long supported FISH through its charitable giving, and this particular grant arrived at a moment when the community truly needed it.
“We’re seeing more neighbors coming to us worried about what the next few weeks will look like,” said FISH Executive Director Maria Espinoza. “This grant from the Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation couldn’t have come at a better time.
“Their support helps us keep our shelves full so families don’t have to choose between groceries and other essentials,” she said. “The Foundation has been a steady supporter of FISH programs over the years, and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued kindness.”
FISH also extends its gratitude to all donors who responded to the recent urgent plea for assistance, as well as Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, the SanCap Resilience Steering Committee, and others who helped share the message throughout their networks.
FISH will continue to closely monitor the SNAP situation while preparing for the possibility of a prolonged increase in need.
Community members who would like to help can donate food, grocery store gift cards, or financial contributions to support ongoing Food Pantry operations.
For drop-off information or questions about current needs, contact the Food Program Manager, Merari Salinas, at merari@fishofsancap.org.
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