A local sun protective apparel company is making waves in helping clothe and protect the homeless in St. Pete and beyond. ShapeShifter Fish and Friends, makers of UPF50+ shirts and other sun protective products, is nearing their one-year anniversary of Project FIN, an initiative to help provide sun protective clothing for the 25,000+ individuals who face homelessness in the state of Florida.

Founded on May 1, 2021, Project FIN (Friends In Need), takes a portion of the proceeds from every sale and uses it to provide sun protective shirts to organizations in the area and across the state. With over 25k homeless folks, over half are considered unsheltered. Here in Florida, these Friends In Need are subject to extreme risks from the heat and sun exposure. The most dangerous among them is the prevalence of skin cancer among those subjected to extended exposure.

To help protect these folks, Project FIN works with local non-profits to distribute long sleeve, UV blocking shirts that dramatically lower the risk of ailments related to sun exposure, and help keep them cool in warm summer months. The first batch of shirts in 2021 went to the Tampa Homeless Outreach, and over the last year, the initiative has worked with organizations like Reach St. Pete, Pinellas Hope, and Meet Me in the Streets Ministry to distribute shirts to the homeless community throughout Tampa Bay.

Project FIN evolved from first-hand experience

The inspiration for Project FIN came by way of personal experience for the owners of ShapeShifter Fish and Friends. Shortly after moving to their neighborhood in 2018, the duo met and befriended a homeless man who lived in a wheelchair at the end of their street. After meeting him, they began offering this man meals, blankets, umbrellas, clothing and hats as the friendship developed.

However, they unexpectedly lost touch with this Friend In Need in late 2020 when he seemingly disappeared from the neighborhood. They hoped for the best but feared the worst, until months later when he suddenly reappeared in his usual spot. It turned out, he had been in the hospital the whole time. He had skin cancer.

Devastated by his plight and determined to do more, they realized their company could help combat the problem affecting so many people like their friend, and so Project FIN was born.

“Our goal with this initiative is to bring awareness to the risk of skin cancer to our Friends In Need, encourage more free public skin checks, and help personally combat the disease by providing sun protective clothing to the Florida homeless community,” the company’s mission explains.

One artist, one scientist, and 20+ great shirts

As for ShapeShifter Fish and Friends itself, the company got its start here in St. Petersburg as a collaborative project between a local artist and scientist. Maria is the creative engineer behind the designs, while her co-founder Andrew, who tests local water in Tampa Bay, brings the nuts and bolts of the production to the business.

The idea was spurred by a love for being outdoors in sunny Florida, whether it’s fishing, exploring or just relaxing by the water. While discussing the differences in their own childhoods versus those of kids now, the idea came up to create clothing for kids and adults that would encourage families to get outside where friendships are made a nourished. But knowing the risks of sun exposure and the pain of reapplying sunblock, the duo chose to print on chemical-free UPF50+ sun protective long sleeves.

Their first shirt design was a deconstructed shape-based Speckled Trout made from circles and triangles that Picasso would have been proud of, and from there they’ve grown to more than 20+ designs including a Manatee, Dolphin, and St Pete favorite, the Pelican.

UPF50+ shirts and other gear make SS Fish and Friends stand out

The SS Fish and Friends products have become a local hit with their unique designs and sun protective qualities. The running theme behind all of them is a nod to local wildlife (and sometimes local sports teams) with designs featuring creatures like manatees, turtles, alligators, dolphins and pelicans.

Two fan favorites, so to speak, have been “The Goat,” a red shirt with their signature ShapeShifter goat on the front and Tom Brady’s No. 12 on the back, and the popular Purple Ray shirt featuring throwback Devil Rays colors. Most designs are available from size 2T to Adult 3X, made with a chemical-free fabric technology, that not only blocks harmful UV rays but stops moisture and blocks odors.

Of course, shirts aren’t the only things in the company’s repertoire. In addition to hoodies, hats and shortsleeve tees, their UNBREAKABLE Polarized ShapeShifter Shades have become a favorite for their durability, and the fact they float. Available in both kids and adult sizes in a variety of colors, the flexible and bendable sunglasses are virtually indestructible, making them perfect for active outdoor use. Naturally staying afloat, they also offer 100% UVA/B/C protection and are prescription ready, and are able to be taken into any optometrist for prescription lenses.

Learn more about ShapeShifter Fish and Friends and Project FIN here.

This article was produced in partnership with ShapeShifter Fish and Friends.

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