TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Jonathan R. Lewis, ICMA-CM, City Manager
TITLE: Acceptance of a grant in the amount of $2,000 from the Wal-Mart Foundation to provide school supplies for the Back to School Resource Fair and gifts through the Toy Chest Program
Recommended Action
Approve acceptance of the Wal-Mart Foundation grant, in the amount of $2,000 to offset the cost of backpacks and school supplies in conjunction with the Back to School Resource Fair and offset the cost of purchasing gifts for children ages birth to 14 through the Toy Chest Program.
Background Information
For the past twelve (12) years the General Services Department, Social Services Division, has coordinated the Back to School Resource Fair which provides an opportunity for families to gather information on programs and services available in the community and to attend educational workshops. This event also helps to alleviate the financial burden to families who may not have the means to provide their child with the necessary school supplies needed to start the school year.
Since the Toy Chest Program’s inception in 1997, the General Services Department, Social Services Division, has been providing gifts to children ages birth to 14, whose parents are receiving some type of public assistance and do not have the financial means to provide gifts to their children during the holidays.
The General Services Department, Social Services Division, has received annual grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation since 2006.
Strategic Plan
Financially Responsible City Providing Quality Municipal Services
Financial Impact
The City has budgeted $9,500 for the Back to School Resource Fair and $4,000 for the Toy Chest Program in account 001-0730-564-49-20. This funding will be used to offset these expenditures.
Procurement
N/A
Attachments:
1. Wal-Mart Foundation Grant Award
Prepared by: Cheryl Greiner
Department Director: Robin Carmichael