Samaira & Illeny with the menu for the night. -SWFL ROTARY CLUB / COURTESY PHOTO

Sam & Smaaira preparing for Meals with a Purpose. -SWFL ROTARY CLUB / COURTESY PHOTO

The newly formed SWFL Interact Club, a youth leadership initiative by the SWFL Rotary Club, is already making a difference in the community.

Last week, Interact member Samaira Sethi, age 17, launched a heartfelt project titled “Meals with a Purpose”, aimed at serving families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Myers. The project embodies the Interact Club’s mission — empowering youth ages 12 to 18 to lead with compassion and serve their communities through action.

Samaira independently organized every step of the project: she reached out to the Ronald McDonald House to arrange a dinner service, built a partnership with Two Meatballs in the Kitchen in Fort Myers and coordinated a delicious, comforting meal for families on Oct, 17. She personally picked up the food, delivered it, wrote the evening’s menu by hand, and spent time connecting with the families.

“We are so grateful for Samaira’s kindness and initiative,” said Illeny, representative of the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Florida. “Her warm smile and thoughtful effort brought comfort and joy to the families who are going through incredibly challenging times. It’s wonderful to see young people making such a meaningful impact.”

“When Samaira approached us about her project, we didn’t hesitate,” said Sam, manager at Two Meatballs in the Kitchen, Fort Myers. “Supporting her and being part of something that helps local families was a no-brainer for us. It’s inspiring to see youth leading with heart.”

“Meals with a Purpose is something I wanted to create to remind families that they’re not alone,” said Samaira Sethi, founder of the project and member of SWFL Interact Club. “A warm meal can bring a sense of comfort, love, and togetherness — and I hope to continue doing this as often as I can.”

“Meals with a Purpose” is one of several impactful initiatives launched by members of the newly established SWFL Interact Club, which operates under the guidance of the SWFL Rotary Club. The Interact program empowers young people to build leadership skills, empathy, and a lifelong commitment to community service through hands-on, service-based learning.

Samaira writing the menu for the night of serving families in the community. -SWFL ROTARY CLUB / COURTESY PHOTO

“Samaira’s passion and leadership perfectly capture what Interact is about,” said Priya Ahluwalia, SWFL Interact Sponsor. “She identified a need, built partnerships and made it happen — all on her own. We’re so proud to have her as part of our first Interact cohort.”

Samaira plans to continue Meals with a Purpose as an ongoing initiative, connecting local restaurants and volunteers to provide regular dinners for families in need across Southwest Florida.

About SWFL Interact Club:
The SWFL Interact Club is a community-based youth organization sponsored by the SWFL Rotary Club, open to students aged 12–18. The club empowers young people to take action through service projects, develop leadership skills and foster connections that make a lasting difference in their communities.