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FISH OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA
Carrie Bloemers
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Women can get engaged in addressing the island community’s needs through an upcoming event.
The AngelFISH Society of the FISH of Sanibel-Captiva Foundation will hold its annual luncheon on Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel. Open to current members and all interested women, it will feature a guest speaker and unveiling of this year’s project.
Registration will take place from 11 to 11:30 a.m., with lunch and the program to follow.
“AngelFISH bring energy and vision to everything they do,” FISH President Maggi Feiner said. “Their support ensures FISH can continue meeting the evolving needs of our islands, while also creating programs that have lasting value for our neighbors and workforce.”
Founded in 2021 by former FISH Board Member Nicole Decker-McHale, the AngelFISH Society is a philanthropic group of women who blend friendship, education and collective giving to make a difference in the community. Guided by the AngelFISH Committee, group members pool their annual contributions to support a project that addresses local needs and strengthens the FISH Foundation.
“The purpose of it is that we wanted to educate women about the needs of the community,” committee Chair Linda Uhler said. “Once we knew what the needs were, we wanted to engage women to assist with those needs in the community.”
She explained that members’ yearly contributions are split between an annual project and FISH.
The luncheon brings current and potential new members together, plus outlines the project for the year.
“We like to get our people together,” Uhler said. “It’s a great time to connect.”
The featured speaker for this year’s luncheon will be Lee Health’s System Director of Wellness Carrie Bloemers. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from her expertise on health and wellness.
A registered dietitian, Bloemers has dedicated her career to advancing community wellness through prevention and whole-person health. With over a decade of experience spanning outpatient counseling, nutrition education and health promotion, she leads strategies that support employees, patients and the community. Bloemers is passionate about creating practical, accessible programs that make wellness sustainable for everyday life.
“FISH serves four pillars in our community and one of the most important ones is food programs,” AngelFISH Society Committee Member Salli Kirkland said, noting that those services include a food pantry, backpacks for children for school breaks and the weekends, home meal delivery and more.
She added that the nutritional speaker ties in with their project for 2025-26.
AngelFISH Kitchen will launch in the fall, building on FISH’s long-standing commitment to food access by expanding into nutrition and wellness education for the families and seniors that it assists.
Kirkland explained that the focus will be healthy food choices.
Uhler continued that some of FISH’s food pantry clients will be selected — half of them seniors and half of them families — to receive an air fryer convention oven. A convenient appliance for busy families to turn to to whip up healthy meals, it is also an easy and user-friendly appliance for seniors.
They will hold a series of classes for them on how to use the ovens, as well as provide recipes.
“Each of those classes will be filled with healthy nutritional facts,” she said.
Opportunities to get involved with the AngelFISH Society will also be presented at the luncheon. In addition, attendees who become members will be entered into a drawing for one of the following:
– 12 Seasons Farm gift certificate
– AeroGarden Sprout
– Florabel gift certificate
– Kay Casperson Spa at the Sundial gift certificate
– Veuve Clicquot champagne bottle
The luncheon is open to all women who want to make an impact.
“Year-round, seasonal and new residents,” Uhler said. “Open to everybody.”
The cost is $40 per person and includes a starter, choice of entree, and dessert for the lunch.
The deadline for reservations is Nov. 1.
Women in the community are encouraged to reserve their spot.
“It’s a chance to make a difference in the community,” she said. “It’s to educate ourselves a little bit, but also to introduce the project.”
“And it’s an opportunity to learn more about FISH and perhaps become a volunteer or more involved with the organization,” Kirkland added.
To RSVP or for more information, visit angelfishluncheon.rsvpify.com.
For questions, contact events@fishofsancap.org.
For more information about FISH, visit www.fishofsancap.org.
The Sundial Beach Resort & Spa is at 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
AngelFISH Society Annual Luncheon
When
Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel
Details
Cost is $40 per person