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Community Spark Award 2020 Finalist: Sanibel Captiva Community Bank

By September 10, 20201 min read

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank supports nonprofit organizations that make a meaningful impact in the lives of Southwest Floridians. Community is in its name and it’s central to its values. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, it recently donated $102,500 to help 12 Southwest Florida nonprofit organizations serving children and feeding people in need caused by COVID-19. The gift supported The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Blessings in a Backpack SWFL, Valerie’s House, PACE Center for Girls-Lee, and many more. 

Additionally, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank’s operations center recently relocated to its newest branch in Fort Myers, creating approximately 2,700 square feet of available office space. It decided to donate rent-free office space to two Southwest Florida nonprofit organizations – The Southwest Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack and the Southwest Florida Symphony.

Finally, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank helped over 250 loan customers by granting $214 million dollars in loan forbearance beginning in March as the pandemic began to shut down local communities. Southwest Florida relies heavily on tourism to drive its economy, so these businesses suffered a significant blow with the COVID-19 crisis hitting during their peak tourist season (Jan-April). As these businesses all depend on the “season” to make up a large percentage of its annual income, so their forbearance program was critical to the businesses’ survival.