

F.I.S.H. OF SANIBEL-CAPTIVA
Lyn Kern

Forty many years ago, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva began in island residents’ kitchens and out of their automobiles. The board of directors opened the first Walk-In Middle in 2007 and the 680-sq.-foot business was painted by board users and volunteers the furnishings have been donated by the local community.
Extensive-time inhabitants Lyn and Bob Kern joined F.I.S.H. just about 15 yrs ago as volunteers and were being experienced by President Maggi Feiner at her home. Lyn Kern could be viewed driving the islands in her VW Cabriolet — with the best down, of system — providing meals or equipment or driving an individual to a doctor’s appointment. She needed to aid much more so she commenced volunteering at the centre, aiding with arranging volunteer schedules and recruiting volunteers.
“When I mentioned I was going to glimpse for a aspect-time job, Maggi offered me a place in the office environment, which was an fast of course,” Kern explained.
As F.I.S.H.’s initial staff, she assisted with all the “normals,” like serving to out whenever, anywhere and on the other hand, one resident at a time and a single have to have at a time.
“The telephone and door ended up open to all, and the requirements had been there from the start,” Kern reported.
The F.I.S.H. Food stuff Pantry began just right after large year finished in 2008.
“It was an strategy introduced to us by a snowbird leaving the island for the summer season who desired to drop off foods at our office environment,” she explained.
With the recession hitting seniors and households, F.I.S.H. asked other volunteers and good friends to drop off what they could right before leaving for the summer and the thought quickly grew.
“There was a compact area with one particular shelf, a desk, a sink and which is about it,” Kern reported. “F.I.S.H. quickly added a few much more cabinets and CHR donated a used refrigerator for much-necessary perishables.”
Previous Board Member and volunteer Shirley Bohnert recalled that Kern “filled a huge need.”
“She noticed first-hand how households ended up struggling. Lyn scheduled weekly volunteer buyers, volunteers to inventory cabinets and observe stock. Working with volunteers she engaged firms to put out food bins for donations and volunteers to decide on up and inventory the shelves,” she reported. “Lyn sought out extra volunteers to assist aid all programs like Meals-by-FISH, a scorching meal shipping support, volunteers to answer phones, agenda rides, devices delivery/pick up and numerous other companies.”
As Easter approached, the board authorized delivering F.I.S.H.’s initially holiday food for clientele.
“Lyn was most useful in getting the details we needed to offer for all the family members associates. Easter meals were a finish food purchased at Winn-Dixie,” Bohnert claimed. “Lyn provided the names and ages of the little ones and we assembled Easter baskets, trying to match them with age and gender. It was a tiny procedure back then, but Lyn arranged the plan and even helped with delivery. Looking at the appreciation of the families, specially the smiles and laughter of the small children, we understood this was a program that would swiftly mature in yrs to come.”
Kern described that she has lots of favored times with F.I.S.H.
“The FISH Annual Volunteer assembly in which the area was crammed with an beautiful array of generous, variety and wonderful folks who are celebrated for currently being there for some others,” she mentioned. “F.I.S.H. is specific to our islands simply because of our mission to assistance some others and have an affect to make life greater. We all want to be required and that is what our clientele convey to us.”
Kern has since retired from F.I.S.H. as an employee, but she can still be observed driving around with her leading down offering Smile Containers, assisting with healthcare products and much far more as a volunteer.
“Lyn was invaluable in finding the Stroll-In Centre arranged, enlisting volunteers and streamlining our courses and companies,” Feiner, who now also serves as main executive officer, explained. “Lyn’s passion and motivation helped quite a few of our neighbors. She was there to hear, support, snicker and at times cry with absolutely everyone. Lyn became a close friend to several, which includes me. I am honored to have worked beside Lyn for so several many years.”
F.I.S.H. now employs eight expert team users. Its volunteer force of about 150 folks is critical to the accomplishment of the business and volunteers are valued customers of the crew. In addition to Kern, Bob Kern is even now a F.I.S.H. volunteer right now and proceeds to provide assistance in any way he can.


