provided to The Santiva Chronicle
In honor of National Food Bank Day on Sept. 6, FISH OF SANCAP is spotlighting its food pantry program and how it helps curb food insecurity in Lee County.
Many residents face the impossible choices of paying bills or putting food on the table, and FISH is here to ensure that no one goes hungry.
“No one should go to bed hungry,” said FISH Executive Director Maria Espinoza. “Not one child. Not one parent. Not one senior. At FISH, we’re working hard to ensure everyone has enough to eat and never faces an impossible choice.”
According to the Feeding America Meal Gap, Lee County, and 2023 ALICE Report, Lee County, a single parent with a school-age child and a full-time job can spend nearly a quarter of their paycheck on food alone.
The FISH Food Pantry is a lifeline for families and individuals struggling to make ends meet. The “choice pantry” allows clients to select needed items, ensuring that nothing goes to waste and dietary needs are met.
The pantry also supplies essential personal hygiene products, paper goods, and pet care items in recognition that basic needs go beyond food.
Last year, the FISH Food Pantry had 5,486 visits, making a difference in the lives of those facing financial hardship. The pantry is open to all Lee County residents from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
In celebration of National Food Bank Day, FISH encourages the community to remember the importance of access to food. The FISH Food Pantry needs donations of peanut butter, canned tuna, or other non-perishable items.
For additional information on the FISH organization and programs and services, contact Espinoza at 239-472-4775 or visit http://www.fishofsancap.org
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