provided to The Santiva Chronicle
FISH OF SANCAP, the islands’ a ‘neighbors helping neighbors’ organization, gears up for the December holidays by offering meal baskets, family/child gifts and gifts for seniors as part of their Holiday Programming.
‘Sponsor a Senior’, specifically for the islands’ senior population, is designed to bring merriment and cheer to island elders. FISH is providing personalized holiday gifts specifically requested by the participant beautifully wrapped for the holiday. Items may include blankets, a robe, or plants, etc.
“Over the years, we’ve noticed that our older population begins to feel more isolated and unhappy this time of year,” says Erika Broyles, FISH Senior Services Director. “Because of the hurricane, many have been displaced and may not have seen family or loved ones for some time. Many will celebrate the holidays alone, and we’d like to bring some cheer to them this season.”
Those wishing to provide support or gifts for community seniors, contact Broyles to fulfil a specific senior gift request.
For others served by FISH, under-employment and lost income from the hurricane disaster continues and is largely why families will spend very little this holiday season. Assisting neighbors through the FISH Adopt-A-Family Program is a simple act of kindness that can make all the difference in the world to a neighbor this holiday season. FISH will supply a wish list from Adopt-A-Family participants; from there, the process is simple:
• Donors shop for gifts; all items must be new purchases.
• Donors drop off gifts before 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at the FISH Food Pantry, 2422 Periwinkle Way
Additionally, FISH is offering a Holiday Meal Basket to island residents and workforce in need. Baskets are offered to households known to FISH through participation in other programs or referred by community members. Thanks to donors, community partners and volunteers, baskets of food including vegetables, traditional holiday sides, holiday ‘goodies’ and a gift card to purchase a protein of choice will be assembled and distributed just in time for the holiday. Basket distribution will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 20-22 at FISH, 2422 Periwinkle Way.
If anyone you know is in need of some holiday cheer, contact Merari at 239-472-4775 or merari@fishofsancap.org. Anyone who would like to donate gifts, toys or food to the holiday programs can drop them off at FISH.
To learn more, visit their website and social media pages to see firsthand how the agency works to better the community and particularly their response to the Ian disaster. To learn more about hurricane recovery and other services of FISH, contact Maria Espinoza, Executive Director, at (239) 472-4775.
Leave a Comment