FISH OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA FISH of Sanibel-Captiva volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization.
ISDA of Sanibel-Captiva values its volunteers as the lifeblood of the organization.
It reports that more than 200 volunteers help with programs and services offered throughout the year — food pantries, hot meal deliveries, food backpacks for children, equipment loans, transportation and more — to serve island residents and workers. They are full and part-time residents, retired and working. Some volunteers help in one service area, others help in several. Some may only provide morning or afternoon or certain days of the week, while others have more availability.
“Volunteers are the essence of our organization,” Executive Director Maria Espinoza said. “We cannot survive without the people who share their time and hearts with us and our community.”
FISH noted that its volunteer pool also includes students from Florida Gulf Coast University, individuals from the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties, church groups and others.
“Hurricane Ian certainly had an impact on the number of individuals who could volunteer,” he says. “While many volunteers have since returned, others have moved on and are sorely missed.”
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA FISH Sanibel resident Dave Scheiber has volunteered for Sanibel-Captiva FISH for three years. Also known as “Van Man,” he drives a van to pick up donations for the food pantry.
In 2023, volunteers logged 10,603 hours of service on behalf of FISH and the community. The cost of one volunteer hour in Florida is $29.41 — equal to a savings of $311,834 for FISH Additionally, volunteers drove nearly 24,000 miles during their 2023 hours of service.
“Having volunteers help with our programs and services not only helps us from a financial standpoint, but is essential for ensuring we can achieve our critical mission,” Espinoza said. “Our volunteers are highly valued for the advocacy and awareness they bring to our organization, their diverse and unique skill sets and expertise, and the positive contributions they make to our community. Their dedication to FISH is more than a financial savings, it is an invaluable gift to our organization and community for which we are truly grateful.”
For more information about volunteering, visit https://www.fishofsancap.org/volunteers.
For more information about FISH, visit https://www.fishofsancap.org/.
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SANIBEL-CAPTIVA FISH Sanibel resident Dave Scheiber has volunteered for Sanibel-Captiva FISH for three years. Also known as “Van Man,” he drives a van to pick up donations for the food pantry.
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FISH OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA FISH of Sanibel-Captiva volunteers are the lifeblood of the organization.
