{"id":281239,"date":"2026-05-22T19:56:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T19:56:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/281239\/"},"modified":"2026-05-22T19:56:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T19:56:11","slug":"love-sanibel-back-to-return-for-summer-sanibel-captiva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/281239\/","title":{"rendered":"Love Sanibel Back to return for summer – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
\nCommunity members and city officials came together to support The Sanibel Cafe during last summer’s Love Sanibel Back initiative.<\/p>\n

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SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
\nAs part of last year’s Love Sanibel Back, participants enjoyed a free class at the Sanibel Recreation Center.<\/p>\n

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SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
\nCommunity members enjoyed food and drinks at MudBugs Cajun Kitchen for last summer’s Love Sanibel Back initiative.<\/p>\n

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For the third year in a row, a community-wide initiative will return for the summer, inviting residents, visitors and businesses to come together in support of the island and to connect as a community.<\/p>\n

Organized by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Love Sanibel Back will take place from June 1 through Aug. 9, with one of two kickoff events planned for May 31. This year, more than 70 businesses are participating in the initiative, which will conclude with an island gathering in November.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt its heart, Love Sanibel Back is about more than events \u2014 it is about connection, gratitude and resilience,\u201d the Rev. William \u201cBill\u201d Van Oss, rector for the church, said. \u201cBy participating, each of us plays a role in strengthening the spirit and future of our island community.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first kickoff event for the initiative will be held on May 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sanibel Island Farmers Market at City Hall on Sanibel. A table will be set up with this year\u2019s schedule and swag.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is really the first opportunity people have to stop and pick up a free Love Sanibel Back button and a free Love Sanibel Back tote bag,\u201d church Director of Communications, Community Engagement and Formation Sue Van Oss said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll have a big photo booth with a new backdrop,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Van Oss noted that dozens of the participating businesses will offer incentives over the summer for shoppers sporting the button or tote bag, including 10-20% off or a free class for new customers.<\/p>\n

For those unable to make it to the farmers market to get their swag, the church will have the free buttons and tote bags available at its office, which can be picked up during its business hours.<\/p>\n

A second kickoff event will take place on June 4 on the rooftop of the Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel. The Sunset Happy Hour will feature a wine tasting from A Bit of Bailey\u2019s and light bites from Doc Ford\u2019s Rum Bar & Grille. Registration was required to attend, however, and it is now closed.<\/p>\n

From June through August, each week will feature a theme and simple \u201cSpread Joy\u201d idea or action.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to expand it so people didn\u2019t feel that they had to go every week and buy something or shop,\u201d she said, referring to the initiative in past years. \u201cWe wanted to make it bigger than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe kind of brainstormed, \u2018What makes Sanibel special?’\u201d Van Oss added. \u201cIt\u2019s the beach. It\u2019s the sunrises and it\u2019s the sunsets. It\u2019s the neighbors. It\u2019s eating local.\u201d<\/p>\n

Running from June 1-7, the Week 1 theme is \u201cSunrises & Sunsets.\u201d People are encouraged to share their favorite Sanibel sunrise or sunset photo on Facebook or Instagram using #lovesanibelback.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe really wanted to focus on, from morning to night, the uniqueness of Sanibel,\u201d she said. \u201cTake a pic of your favorite and hashtag #lovesanibelback.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rest of the weekly themes will be:<\/p>\n

\u2013 June 8-14: Welcome to Summer<\/p>\n

\u2013 June 15-21: Eat Local<\/p>\n

\u2013 June 22-28: Neighbors Connect<\/p>\n

\u2013 June 29 to July 5: Gratitude Week<\/p>\n

\u2013 July 6-12: Christmas In July Week<\/p>\n

\u2013 July 13-19: Beach Kindness Week<\/p>\n

\u2013 July 20-26: Wild Mile Week<\/p>\n

\u2013 July 27 to Aug. 2: Give Back Week<\/p>\n

\u2013 Aug. 3-9: Celebrate Local Love<\/p>\n

With the hashtag #lovesanibelback incorporated into every week, the church will feature people\u2019s photos on the website and in a photo gallery, with possible prizes for randomly selected ones.<\/p>\n

In addition, there will be special community events and gatherings.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve always had the big culminating event at the end, but we also wanted to offer some free events throughout the summer,\u201d Van Oss said. \u201cWe tried to have morning, afternoon and evening events.\u201d<\/p>\n

Those will include:<\/p>\n

\u2013 June 25: Sip, Surprise & Create from 9 to 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

\u2013 July 7: Christmas in July from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.<\/p>\n

\u2013 July 13: Shell Stroll from noon to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

The Love Sanibel Community Gathering will wrap up the initiative on Nov. 1 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Sanibel Recreation Center. It will feature food and drinks, displays by nonprofits, door prizes from businesses and more, plus an art show by The Sanibel School and Seahorse Chorale performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really a time to welcome back our snowbirds, celebrate the end of summer and, hopefully, a quiet hurricane season,\u201d she said. \u201cJust bring everyone together in celebration of the spirit of Sanibel and what makes Sanibel so unique.\u201d<\/p>\n

Financial supporters of this year\u2019s Love Sanibel Back include: Charitable Foundation of the Islands as the premier sponsor; Florida Trust Wealth Management as the community champion sponsor; and Bank of the Islands, Breakaway Vacation Properties and Periwinkle Park as island supporter sponsors.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs this program has expanded, we couldn\u2019t do it without the help of our generous sponsors, so we really appreciate their help,\u201d Van Oss said.<\/p>\n

The initiative is also made possible through a partnership with the city and SanCap Chamber.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe greatly appreciate them, as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The community is encouraged to take part.<\/p>\n

\u201cLove Sanibel Back reminds us that every purchase made, every act of kindness, even sharing a simple joy, is an investment in the future of Sanibel. It shows what makes Sanibel really unique,\u201d Van Oss said. \u201cWe need each other \u2014 and being a part of Love Sanibel Back really makes a difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more information, visit https:\/\/www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org\/love-sanibel-back<\/a> or https:\/\/linktr.ee\/lovesanibelback<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For questions, contact 239-472-2173 or communications@saintmichaels-sanibel.org.<\/p>\n

Those not in town can still participate in the initiative and support island businesses through shopping online at a dedicated Love Sanibel Back page at https:\/\/www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org\/lsb-online<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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