provided to the Santiva Chronicle
FISH of SANCAP has enhanced its food programs and extended its food pantry hours to support families and individuals struggling to make ends meet.
“Food insecurity is a reality for far too many people in our community,” said FISH Executive Director Maria Espinoza. “We see families working hard but simply cannot stretch their income far enough to cover basic needs. Our food programs are here to ease that burden and ensure no one goes hungry.”
FISH offers a variety of food assistance programs designed to meet the diverse and urgent needs of the community. Each program requires an intake and sign-up process to ensure resources are allocated where needed.
The FISH Food Pantry is the most used resource and provides supplemental groceries. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
Meals by FISH delivers a hot meal to seniors, homebound individuals, and others five days a week with extra portions for the weekend. FISH subsidizes the meals.
The Fresh Meal Boxes provide families with fresh ingredients and recipes to prepare healthy meals. The Children’s Backpack program gives children nutritious food after school, on the weekend, and during school breaks.
The Holiday Meal program provides baskets for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. The baskets have all the ingredients needed to make a holiday meal.
The FISH food programs have been a lifeline to those like Sarah, a working single mother of three. “It’s heartbreaking not to be able to provide enough for my kids,” said Sarah, whose name has been changed for privacy.
“I work full time, but between rent, utilities, and other bills, there is just not enough left for food,” she explained. “The Food Pantry helps us keep going, and the backpack program ensures my kids don’t go hungry on weekends or during school breaks.”
Sarah is also grateful for the Holiday Meal program. “The holiday meals were such a blessing,” she said. “They brought us together as a family and gave us something to look forward to.”
Sarah added that it’s not easy to ask for help. “It’s depressing to know I can’t consistently feed my family on my own. But FISH has given us more than food. They have given us hope.”
Anyone in need of assistance with food should contact the FISH team for an intake assessment. They can be reached by phone at 239-472-4775 or by email at info@fishofsancap.org.
“Our neighbors are struggling to make impossible choices every day,” said Espinoza. “With the support of our donors, volunteers, and partners, we are working to ensure that no family has to choose between putting food on the table or keeping a roof over their heads.”
Learn more at fishofsancap.org.
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