Registration under way for FISH Christmas Basket Brigade and Pine Island Food Pantry Christmas Meal Program
The FISH Basket Brigade and Pine Island Food Pantry are teaming up to ensure all islanders have an opportunity to enjoy the holidays.
Last year the FISH Basket Brigade provided gifts to 76 families with 200 children and 12 seniors to make their holidays a little more merry and bright. This year, requests or referrals of Pine Island and/or Matlacha residents should be submitted to Karen via call or text to 513-265-7123 or by email kdurand55@gmail.com, no later than Monday, Nov. 15, to allow time for shopping, sorting and assigning of gifts. If Spanish conversation is required, please contact Nancy Cote by call or text at 239-257-8385. Brigade members request parents provide suggestions about the kinds of gifts their children would like (but please, no electronics or toy guns). Brigade shoppers will do their best to accommodate those wishes within budget limitations.
When families call about FISH Basket Brigade, Pine Island and Matlacha residents will be asked to indicate if a holiday meal is also desired, and if so, which meat is preferred. The Basket Brigade pick-up of gifts and food will be on Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Pine Island United Methodist Church.
Those who wish to contribute to the brigade may send donations to Pine Island FISH, P.O. Box 357, Matlacha, FL 33993. Please write “Brigade” in the memo line. To be more directly involved with Wish Tree adoptions and toy donations, contact Karen at the number listed above.
The Pine Island Food Pantry is again providing Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and pre-orders are currently being accepted. Each meal includes a choice of a frozen turkey, pork roast, ham or chicken, along with meal fixings of potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green beans, corn, chicken broth, cream soup, cranberry sauce, yams, rolls or muffins and a dessert.
Food amounts are distributed by family size, with pick-up scheduled during the two weeks before each holiday. Pre-orders can be placed at the Pine Island Food Pantry on Monday and Thursday between 8:30 and 10:30 am.
For those who would like to contribute to the food pantry holiday meals, Pine Island Winn-Dixie is offering $10 holiday bags next to the cash registers. Each bag contains nonperishable holiday fixings, such as canned green beans, corn, broth, cranberry sauce, potatoes, muffins and a box dessert. All purchased bags are placed in the store donation bin for pick up, or you may visit the pantry website at pineislandfoodpantry.org for more information and to donate online.
The Pine Island Food Pantry is a 501c3 nonprofit serving the Pine Island and the greater Matlacha area and is operated by an all-volunteer staff. The pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-10:30 a.m. in the Life Center of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, 12175 Stringfellow Road, Bokeelia. An ID to verify residency in our service area is required. New clients are welcome.
Pine Island FISH (Fellow Islanders Sending Help) is a 501c3 nonprofit and all-volunteer association of neighbors organized to help those living in the Matlacha and Pine Island Communities. Pine Island FISH offers the following services: non-emergency transportation to medical facilities, grocery stores, pharmacy, bank, etc. to those with no access to transportation; mobility equipment lending: wheelchairs, walkers, etc., assistance with special needs: emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, medical costs, etc.; respite relief to non-paid, primary caregivers; In-touch: contact with home-bound individuals either by phone or home visits, and is the lead agency in the Pine Island “Basket Brigade” programs. There is no charge for FISH services, however, equipment and monetary donations are welcome. For more information about the organization, visit the website at www.pineislandfish.org.