Annual Events

Throughout the year, the Social Services Division hosts multiple annual events to serve the needs of our community.

Community Baby Shower and Preschool Expo

Pregnant women, new moms and families with infants and young children up to age 4 are invited to the FREE Community Baby Shower and Pre-School Expo, held annually by the Social Services Division, on Saturday, April 11.

The event will showcase area resources available to new mothers and parents of pre-school aged children. Along with a Diaper Derby race, there will be prizes raffled throughout the event with a grand prize raffle at the end.

Exhibitors

We invite all of our community partners who support the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants and young children to join us for this fun, family friendly, educational event!

There is no fee for exhibitors, however, we request that each exhibitor provide a door prize (minimum $30 value) suitable for pregnant women and/or families with children up to age 4. Door prizes may include certificates for a service or membership as well as material items, but NO coupons or discounted services. Door prizes must be approved prior to the event to be an authorized exhibitor and dropped off to the City of North Port Social Services Division office at 6919 Outreach Way, North Port, FL Suite 3. Please contact staff at 941-429-3700 if other arrangements need to be made. Door prizes must be submitted by Friday, April 3.

Each exhibitor must be a non-profit agency or business that serves pregnant women, infants and/or young children in South Sarasota County.

Businesses will not be permitted to sell commercial products or distribute infant formula samples or advertisements. Food is not to be provided to attendees.

Event set up time will be from 9-9:30 a.m. Please arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. A table and two chairs will be provided. Please bring your own table cover and materials you would like to distribute. Exhibit breakdown cannot begin before 12 p.m.

Back to School Resource Fair

Every year, the Social Services Division hosts the Back-to-School Resource Fair for North Port residents. This event provides an opportunity to access local resources and receive free supplemental school supplies.

Visit event page

Home for the Holidays Program

The City's annual Home for the Holidays Program provides a way to connect income eligible North Port families/individuals with organizations, businesses, and individuals who want to help during the holiday season. The Home for the Holidays program includes Adopt-n-Shop, Senior Giving Tree and Home-Based Holidays.

Registration is required for some programs.

Adopt-N-Shop

Adopt -N- Shop

Adopt-N-Shop is an annual gift adoption program during the holiday season. Families who are registered through the Adopt-N-Shop Program can be adopted by individuals, organizations or businesses. Their information - including names, children's names and ages, gift preferences and more - is provided to the adopter. Adopters then go shopping, wrap gifts (optional) and supply goods (sometimes even food) to their adoptees.

Adopt as many families as you would like. This is a great exercise for businesses, local HOA's and local groups who want to get involved in making a difference.

How to adopt a family

Individuals, organizations, businesses and HOAs can register online to adopt a family.

How to register for assistance

Registration is now closed for program assistance for the 2025 holiday season.

This program is open to income-eligible North Port families. Those wanting to register can go in person at the Social Services Division office located at the Family Service Center at 6919 Outreach Way, Suite 3, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Please bring proof of residency (FPL account number, Utility bill, or official mail (not junk mail)) and income eligibility (one of the following: Food stamp award letter, last 30 days of household income or most recent tax return). Families will also need to provide staff with a birth certificate or guardianship paperwork for each child registered.

Senior Giving Tree

Each year, the City of North Port Social Services Division treats local seniors to a sit-down luncheon served by City of North Port staff and volunteers. In partnership with the Senior Center, guests enjoy fellowship, bingo, prizes and entertainment. Interested seniors can register in person at the Social Services Division office located at the Family Service Center at 6919 Outreach Way, Suite 3. Please bring proof of residency (FPL account number, Utility bill, or official mail (not junk mail)) and identification.

If you would like to make a monetary donation or a gift basket to be raffled, please contact the City of North Port Social Services Division at 941-429-3700.

Other ways to get involved:

Donate a gift card: Gift cards are welcome from any store. The Social Services Division will make sure that your gift card donation is provided to a family that needs it most.
Donate cash (or check): With a cash donation, you can provide the Social Services Division instructions on the way you would like the funding to be used. Not sure how to use it? They City will find the best way to use it to make sure that it assists families during the holidays.
Volunteer: Volunteers are needed for all of the holiday events. Learn more about volunteering.
Donate to the City's annual 12 Days of Giving Food Drive: Each year, the City of North Port offers a food drive during the holiday season. The food is delivered to a local food pantry.