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File #: 26-0289    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Consent Agenda Status: Passed
File created: 12/30/2025 In control: City Commission Regular Meeting
On agenda: 2/10/2026 Final action: 2/10/2026
Title: Approve the Acceptance of the Community Grant From the Walmart Foundation in the Amount of $3,500 to be Used for Shop With a Cop and Home for the Holidays Programs.
Attachments: 1. Grant Application

TO:                                           Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission

 

FROM:                      A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager

 

TITLE:                     Approve the Acceptance of the Community Grant from the Walmart Foundation in the Amount of $3,500 to be Used for the Shop with a Cop and Home for the Holidays Programs.

 

 

Recommended Action

 

Option 1: Approve the acceptance of the Community Grant from the Walmart Foundation in the amount of $3,500 to be used for the Shop with a Cop and Home for the Holidays Programs.

 

City Commission Options

 

Option 1: Approve the acceptance of the Community Grant from the Walmart Foundation in the amount of $3,500 to be used for the Shop with a Cop and Home for the Holidays Programs.

 

                     Pros: This grant will provide funds to be used for the Shop with a Cop and Home for the Holidays programs, increasing the budget of the programs and allowing for more citizens to be served.

                     Cons: There are no foreseeable cons to approving the acceptance of this grant.

 

Option 2: Deny the acceptance of the Community Grant from the Walmart Foundation in the amount of $3,500 to be used for the Shop with a Cop and Home for the Holidays Programs.

 

                     Pros: There are no foreseeable pros to denying the acceptance of this grant.

                     Cons: Not accepting funds would result in a smaller budget for the Shop with a Cop and Home for the Holidays programs, meaning less citizens served.

 

Background Information

 

Each year, the Police Department and Social Services Division coordinate holiday programs to assist local underprivileged children and families. Walmart Facility #3387, located at 17000 Tamiami Trail, has a grant program available that helps fund these programs. This year, the total grant award is $3,500.

Shop with a Cop is a program operated by the Police Department. Under this program, the Sarasota County School Board staff identifies children and families in their schools needing holiday assistance. The event allows children to go around Walmart with a Police Officer and choose gifts for themselves, their families and their friends. The children have the opportunity to interact with law enforcement and other community members who bring holiday spirit to these local families. $2,500 of the grant award will be allocated to Shop with a Cop.

Home for the Holidays is a program operated by the Social Services Division.  This program connects organizations, businesses and citizens willing to adopt income eligible individuals and families needing gift assistance during the holidays.  The Walmart grant is used to assist those individuals and families that are not adopted. $1,000 of the grant award will be allocated to Home for the Holidays.

Strategic Plan

 

Quality of Life

 

Financial Impact

 

Revenue accounts are as follows:

 

                     Shop with a Cop: 001-0000-366.44-00

                     Home for the Holidays: 001-0000-366.90-00

 

Expenditure accounts are as follows:

 

                     Shop with a Cop: 001-2100-521.48-71

                     Home for the Holidays: 001-0730-564.49-20

 

Procurement

 

Procurement Code, policies and procedures will be followed when purchases are made.

 

 

Attachments:

1.                     Grant Application

 

 

Prepared by:                                            Jennifer Sadonis, Grants Coordinator

 

Department Director:                       A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager