After Hurricane Helene roared through North Carolina, Kristine & Brian Shallenberger emerged from their Ashville area home with conflicting emotions. To their relief, the storm hadn’t damaged their house, despite complete devastation all around them.
They immediately opened their home to multiple displaced folks as recovery efforts began. Kristine was struck by the number of volunteers who came from out of state to help—some even from their family’s long-time home away from home: Sanibel Island.
Then Milton struck, and while people were still staying in their home, the Shallenbergers made the 12-hour trek to Sanibel. “After the devastation—and then the inspiring help—we had witnessed after Helene, we wanted to give back. FISH gave us that chance!”
Over several days, the Shallenbergers worked wherever FISH needed them—staffing the food pantry, greeting residents in need, providing ice, stocking coolers with drinks, and making supply runs for essentials.
“Sanibel is an amazing place we’ve treasured for over 45 years. The people that live and visit here are like family. Through storms—and resilient recovery—spanning states and communities, we’ve been blessed to see how many beautiful hearts love and care for each other! We are glad to be a small part of bringing Sanibel back to life with FISH!”