NORTH PORT — FISH of North Port — a service that transports people who can’t drive — is at risk of failing due to a lack of volunteers.
The nonprofit has been around North Port for 50 years, driving mostly elderly people to doctors appointments or to shop. But if it doesn’t get more help soon, organizers say it may end up like FISH organizations in other communities.
Englewood still has a FISH, but Port Charlotte FISH is long gone.
The acronym “FISH” can stand for “Friend I Shall Help” or “Friends In Serving Humanity,” according to a FISH website.
FISH of North Port provides free rides in and around the city, along with runs to Port Charlotte and Venice.
Audrey Norman, a 92-year-old rider who volunteers as a planner for FISH, said the group is incredibly important for the local population.
These days, the main competition for FISH is Sarasota County’s public transportation system, especially Breeze On-Demand.
However, that service has limits, as Breeze drivers can’t leave Sarasota County.