2430-B Periwinkle Way

Sanibel FL 33957

239.472.4775

fishofsancap.org

email: info@fishofsancap.org

FISH SECURES SECOND COVID VACCINATION POP-UP SITE ON SANIBEL

APRIL 2021

2 Vaccination Partners3 Senior Needs Assessment3 Great Nonprofit4 go! FISH Sponsors5 Welcome Manuela 5 Welcome Heike 6 Easter Recap7 Food Pantry8 Volunteer Page8 Resources9 FISH Volunteers10 Testimonials11 Friendly Faces12 FISH Impact

FISH has secured a second opportunity for community members to receive the COVID-19 vaccination through an on-island pop-up site. The site will be located at the Sanibel Community House located at 2173 Periwinkle Way and is scheduled for April 9 by appointment only. Approximately 300 doses will be available. FISH is uncertain as to which

manufacturer will be supplied. Should a second dose be required, those will be administered on April 30.

Following a letter addressed to Governor Ron DeSantis and local elected officials outlining the need for COVID-19 vaccines on Sanibel, FISH secured a ‘pop-up’ vaccination site which took place on Tuesday, March 23rd at the Sanibel Community House. The letter, signed by Maggi Feiner, President & CEO of FISH and Sheridan Snell, Board Chair of FISH asserted that seniors on the barrier islands are faced with many of the same challenges as those in rural and other parts of our state situated far from a vaccination site. It also addressed significant number of seniors that FISH already identified as being high priority for a local vaccination option due to their age, medical conditions, or transportation limitations.

The second vaccination pop-up site was secured after an overwhelmingly positive response to the first site held on March 23rd. FISH continued advocating for vaccination opportunities on the islands resulting in the April 9 confirmation. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity to again assist those still needing the vaccination and honored that our community partners will again be a part of our neighbors helping neighbors team,” states Maria Espinoza, Assistant Executive Director at FISH. FISH notes that this is the biggest project and impact the organization has had in its nearly 40 years.

Appointments for the April 9 vaccination site will be available on a first come first served basis. Please contact the FISH office at 239-472-4775 to be placed on the vaccination list.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE! THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS WHO ASSISTED WITH OUR VACCINATION POP-UP SITEIsland partners including the Sanibel Community House, the Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, the City of Sanibel Police Department, Sanibel Fire Department, Parish Nurses, Medical Offices, Pharmacies, City of Sanibel Officials and FISH volunteers helped 250 neighbors received the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccination.

The COVID vaccination pop-up site involved the efforts of many island organizations and individuals. We appreciate each and every one that made this monumental event available to our neighbors.

SOCIAL SERVICESBIG THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

SENIOR NEEDS ASSESSMENTSURVEY LAUNCHES IN APRILBeginning in early April, 3,000 households across Sanibel and Captiva will be receiving a request by mail from FISH of SanCap to complete a survey addressing an array of topics related to living on the islands as a household aged 55 or over.

Funded by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) and facilitated by Polco, the Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA), is a national benchmark survey that will allow FISH and the islands to have a clearer understanding of the needs currently being met and gaps in services to the aging population of Sanibel and Captiva. The CASOA survey has been conducted in communities across the country and will also allow the islands to compare survey results to other communities.

“FISH is focused on the growth and development of our senior services and this is a huge step to gathering statistically significant data to guide our decision making in concert with the information we collect internally,” said Alicia Tighe Orgera, Executive Director, FISH. “We’re so grateful for not only the financial support but the fundamental interest CFI has in learning more about how our community can better serve our seniors,” Orgera added.

The households receiving the survey by mail have been chosen at random and will have the opportunity to complete and return a paper version of the survey or use a web-link to complete the survey online. Later in the process, the community as a whole will have the opportunity to participate in the survey online at an address that will be shared publicly in the coming weeks. “Our hope is that we’ll receive significant participation to create a really meaningful set of data about our 55+ islanders,” said Orgera. “This is something we’re leading, but it will be information we will make publicly available so that stakeholders on Sanibel and Captiva can make informed decisions on issues or topics that they make relating to this demographic.”

If you love our work then tell the world! You have an opportunity to help us make even more of a difference in our community. GreatNonprofits, a review site like TripAdvisor, is honoring highly reviewed nonprofits with their 2021 Top-Rated Awards. Won’t you help us raise visibility for our work by posting a review of your experience with us? All reviews will be visible to potential donors and volunteers. It’s easy and only takes 3 minutes! Go to https://conta.cc/3fqmpF3

PLEASE HELP US EARN OUR GREAT NONPROFIT BADGE

TARPONAnonymous (1)

Dixie and Robert BowdenBarbara and Jim Brady

Kathy and John DubuqueMaggi and Don FeinerAndria and Paul HeafyDebbie and Steve KlugLisa Ann and Bob MillerJoan and Don Sherman

Kathy and Bob Wiesemann

ANGELMargie and Michael Bennett

Diane and Bob Williams

BIGBarb and Todd BluedornRon and Debbie BrooksSherry and Doug Gentry

Inky and Jack MengMary and Jim Nelson

Ellen and David RaisbeckSheridan and Dick SnellAlice and Fred Stanback

BLUESarah Ashton and Jim Metzler

Dean BarryBarbara and Tom DunhamJo and Manny FernandezJerry and Steve Mihaly

Shirley and Harold MillerKay and John Morse

Barry MossBeth and John NewlandNathalie and Dick PyleNancy and Chip Roach

Betty and Robert VanTassel

REDLinda and Charles Adams

Susie and Jim BergPat and Mike Boris

Katharine and Doug BrittonMary and Dick Butler

Vibeke and Gustav ChristensenLinda and Gordon Coons

Melissa and Tom GauntlettMariel and Porter GossKris and Bruce Gurall

Laurie and Steve HafenerHeidrick and Co Insurance

Susan and George HeislerLana and John Jacobs

Ann and George KechesShirley and Harold MillerTeresa and Jake Miller

Sue and Steve PeltzmanMary Ellen and Eric Pfeifer

Lucy and Paul RothEllen Sloan

Tina and John Wysocki

GOLDBarbara and William Arons

Nancy and Guy ArviaBank of the Islands

Clair Beckmann and Ron NixonSusan and Cliff Beittel

Donald BradfordJudy and Bill Cheney

Fay and Jack ChestnutCathy and Jim CryderBillye and Ralph CurtisHeather and Jim DeinerGaither and Don Deluca

Susan and Dennis EichnerKaren and Ken Gill

Sandy and Roger GrogmanJean and John HalliganBetsy and Taylor Hay

Claudia Hennen and Tad Balassie

Kyle JacksonMichael Kelly

Bonnie and Al KochVicky and John LettmannLinda and Nick Linsmayer

Barbara and Al MartiCarol McNaughton

Barbara and William MillarMichelle and Chris Millard

Randy and Shannon NeumanAnne Nobles and David Johnson

Ginny and Mark ReissJoyce and Don Rice

Nancy and Don RolleyJenny and Bill RosenbergSusan and Robert Ross

Kenneth SaccaroKathy and Jeff SamsonKatharine duP Sanger

Judie and Tom SharbaughGail and Charlie SheetzLinda and Hank Spire

Patty and Jim SprankleCarol and Francis Torbey

Linda and Tom UhlerAnn-Marie Wildman

Penny Wilkinson and Dick BoehningMarilee and Michael Wood

Zebis IT EssentialsZurbriggen Financial

SUPPORTAnonymous (1)

Gail and William BachmanChristine Boesen

Jean and Robert BozichMarsha and Claude CrawfordRosemarie and Jim Flaherty

Cassie and Paul GaengerCharles Hart

Nancy and Richard HopkinsJanie Howland and Jack Thomas

Mary Ann KanziusMary and Jim LaVelleDouglas McLemore

Gail Migliorini and James BabbArlene and Scott MowryCathy and Bruce OdlaugJeannie and Jean Olinger

Tom RothmanSharon Smith-Purdy

Sue and Charles TurnerRoberta and Robert Washlow

food programs • island based education • social and senior services • helping hands and financial assistance

2430-B Periwinkle Way, Sanibel FL 33957 239.472.4775 f: 239.243.9009 fishofsancap.org email: info@fishofsancap.org

a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving Sanibel and Captiva • FISH is an equal opportunity provider • EIN 20-8892375

In a year that has been universally challenging, we are inspired by

YOU – our neighbors – with your compassion and generosity.

FISH has met the challenges in our community for almost 40 years, and with your help, we will continue

to impact the lives of those living and working on our islands.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

WELCOME MANUELA MARTINEZSOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT

We are pleased to welcome Manuela Martinez, Social Services Assistant, to the team. In her position, Manuela will assist the Social Services Department with program efforts and community reach out. Manuela spent her undergraduate career studying International Affairs with a minor in social entrepreneurship and business at Florida State University. She spent a semester studying abroad at the University of Alicante, Spain improving her business administration skills and intercultural goals. Manuela has worked with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity assisting Floridians with unemployment benefits and with nonprofits in the Tallahassee area. She is originally

from Colombia and is bilingual in Spanish and English. “My goal,” says Manuela, “is to provide impactful and meaningful services to those in need.

WELCOME HEIKE GOSSELINOFFICE ASSISTANT & RECEPTIONIST

We are pleased to welcome Heike Gosselin, Office Assistant and Receptionist to the team. Heike will take on the role of the organization’s assistant and receptionist and act as the front office point of contact for incoming clients and visitors. For the last ten years, Heike assisted residents at Shell Point as a Call Center Specialist. Prior to her Shell Point position, she worked in Customer Service for Publix. Heike is originally from Frankfurt, Germany Germany where she attended school for Hotel and Tourism and worked in Human Resources for the US Army in Europe. Heike has been involved with United Way and March of Dimes campaigns and volunteered at

various churches in the Southwest Florida area. She is bilingual in English and German and a Sanibel resident. “I’m happy to be here,” says Heike. “I’m looking forward to working with the island community.”

EASTER FOOD BASKETSA huge thank you to our island partners who helped bring joy to families during the Easter Holiday! Because of you, we were able to distribute a total of 417 Holiday Baskets -- Easter Food Baskets, Easter Bunny Baskets and/or meals to seniors. The dinner basket provided everything needed for a festive Easter dinner. Bunny baskets for children aged 2-12 were filled with candy, small toys, school supplies and more. Meals for

seniors were prepared by both Bailey’s General Store and Jerry’s Foods and delivered by FISH volunteers.

“I want to thank all the volunteers who pick up food and donations, assemble baskets and help on distribution days,” states Maria Espinoza, Assistant Executive Director. “Like last year’s holidays, it was difficult to secure large quantities due to the COVID-19 restrictions and limitations on available food products. We are so grateful for everyone’s support.”

FOOD NEWS

• Bailey’s General Store,

preparer of senior

meals

• CVS Sanibel for Easter

candy donations

• Jerry’s Foods, preparer

of senior meals

• Sanibel Captiva Lions

for Easter donations

• Sanibel & Captiva Island

Association of Realtors

for Easter collection

• Sanibel Congregational

United Church of Christ

We cannot thank you

enough for your support.

BIG THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

FOOD PANTRY - SUPPLEMENTAL GROCERIES FOR NEIGHBORS

Food is one of our most basic survival needs, yet there is a significant portion of our community who struggle to put food on the table. We are working daily to reduce that number by providing assistance through our food programs thanks to our generous donors, volunteers, community partners, and staff. We are proud to offer supplemental groceries to our island neighbors five days a week by way of our ‘Choice’ Food

Pantry. We are open from 10:00am- 3:45pm Monday—Friday, allowing our neighbors to shop according to their own life schedules that may otherwise prevent them from getting the resources they need. The FISH Food Pantry is open to all Lee County residents.

As we close in on the time when our snowbird neighbors leave the islands, we experiences an increase in food pantry usage due, in part, to a reduction in hours for employees working on Sanibel and Captiva. We use various sources to maximize our food pantry budget to keep the necessities in stock, but we can always use help from our community. Below are items the food pantry is currently in need of:

• Canned tuna, chicken, vegetables, and soup, fruits and fruit juices, pork & beans; packaged pasta, pinto and other beans, rice, mac & cheese, hot and cold cereals, peanut and other nut butters

• Food donations, including perishables, are accepted at the FISH Walk-in Center, located at 2430 Periwinkle Way, directly behind Bleu Rendezvous Bistro, Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Please no opened or expired food. Additional drop off sites include:

Bailey’s General StoreBank of the IslandsSouth Seas Main Gate, available 24/7

FOOD NEWSBIG THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS• Bailey’s General Store

for weekly donations

and drop off site

• Bank of the Islands, an

ongoing non-perishible

Food Pantry donation

site

• Jerry’s Foods for weekly

donations

• Sanibel Island Farmer’s

Market ‘Farm 2 FISH’

program

• Sarah Ashton for

organizing a food drive

• Judie Zimomra and Girl

Scout Troop 200 for

donating cookies

We cannot thank you

enough for your support.

Pictured left:

Girl Scout cookies delivered

by members of Sanibel

Troop 200 and City Manager

Judie Zimomra

ABOUT FISH

FISH of SanCap is a nonprofit, staffed by more than 170 volunteers. Professionals staff the Walk-in Center and are available Mon. through Fri. to assist islanders and visitors with an array of services and programs. FISH is Sanibel and Captiva’s only neighbors help-ing neighbors organization offering a range of human services including:

• Temporary Emergency Financial Assistance• Food Pantry• Medical Equipment Loan• Hurricane Packets• Hot Meals Program• Kid’s Food Backpack• Community Seminars• Youth Scholarships• Referrals & Resources• Monthly Luncheon and much more!

WE NEED GREAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU!Although certain duties are limited during the COVID crisis, we still need volunteers! Please consider our volunteers opportunities, including phone duty, meal delivery, food pantry, and more. Contact Maria Espinoza, 239-472-0404, for details. Click on the links below for a calendar download for the following services:

April Phone Duty April Meal Delivery

RESOURCESBelow are online shopping links to make your generosity that much easier. An online account is required for ordering. For direct shipments to our Food Pantry, please send to: FISH c/o Food Pantry, 2430-B Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. Please include a gift note so we know who it’s from and can acknowledge accordingly! As always, thank you for thinking of our neighbors in need.

Amazon Prime Pantry Bailey’s General Store Jerry’s Foods Publix

FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS NEEDEDWe are proud to offer supplemental groceries to our island neighbors five days a week by way of our ‘Choice’ Food Pantry. We are open from 10:00am-3:45pm Monday—Friday, allowing our clients to shop according to their own life schedules that may otherwise prevent them from getting the resources they need. During the COVID-19 health crisis, Food Pantry patrons will not be allowed to shop but instead will be handed bags of food. Our Food Pantry is always in need of the following items: • Canned protein • Nut butters and jellies • Canned fruits and vegetables • Pasta, rice, beans • Cereal • Ready-to-eat meals and soups • Crackers • Visit our FOOD PANTRY PAGE to learn more

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FOOD PANTRYDROP-OFF INFO

We accept donations to help stock our Food Pantry. Items must be unopened, unexpired non-perishables.

Perishable items accepted Mon-Fri from 8am-3:30pm at the Walk-in Center

Other drop off sites include:

• Bailey’s General Store• Bank of the Islands• South Seas Main Gate

OUR VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION!From assembling Backpacks, stocking Food Pantry shelves, delivering Smile Boxes and more, you are our TRUE SUPERHEROES

OUR NEIGHBORS APPRECIATE YOU!Because of you, we are able to change the lives of our island neighbors. Thank you for your support of FISH of SanCap!

neighbors helping neighbors FRIENDLY FACES

VIRTUAL FRIENDLY FACES LUNCHEON WITH FISH OF SANCAP

We are continuing our popular community-wide social gathering virtually! Please join Friendly Faces on

TUESDAY, APRIL 20 AT NOONGeorge & Wendy’s will prepare a delicious meal and FISH volunteers will deliver meals to all islanders between 11:30am-noon. The cost of the April luncheon is waived and complimentary to all participants. Call log in begins at noon.

Please join FISH and community members on Tues., Apr. 20 for their interactive virtual Friendly Faces Lunch. The theme for April is Celebrating Earth Day and participants will make terrariums. A featured guest speaker from Ding Darling will talk about the refuge, its abundant wildlife and nature conservation.

food programs • island based education • social & senior services • helping hands & financial assistance

2430-B Periwinkle Way, Sanibel FL 33957 239.472.4775 • fishofsancap.org

neighbors helping neighbors

FISH continues to help our neighbors in meeting their physical, mental and emotional needs. As always, we are committed to being a safety net for all.

At the end of the day, our message is simple— FISH is for everyone.

DATE: Tuesday,April 20

TIME:Meal delivery

beginning at 11:30 amCall log in

begins at Noon

LOCATION:Virtual Zoom Call

RSVP:By Apr. 16 to FISH

239-472-4775

Meal selections and Zoom instructions will be provided when you RSVP