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 North Port Coalition for Homeless/Needy Children, Inc.

 General Meeting Minutes

May 5, 2026

The general meeting was called to order at 10:08 by Naomi at the Amvets.  

The mission statement was read by all.

Presentation:

Nancy Fearn, Arlene Hoxey and Marilyn Correia from Talon Bay presented us with a $500     check.  Pictures were taken with the Board members. 

New Volunteers: 

 We welcomed Jenny Nicolas-Angrand and her adorable 18 month old daughter, Yvanna-Rose.

Minutes:

The April Minutes were approved yesterday at the Board meeting.  The minutes will be on the website.  

Financial Report:

Susan read the financial report for March.  It was revised a bit from the report given yesterday at the Board meeting.  Total Direct Income was $370.16, Grants were $8,000.00, and interest was $205.94 for a total of $8,576.10 Expenses were $5,793.37.

Board Positions Needed:

 We still need a Volunteer Coordinator.  Yesterday the Board discussed different approaches to recruiting for this position.

Fundraising:

Giving Challenge:    Was held April 15-16  Susan estimates we will receive approximately $5,200. 

Bags:

Small – 833     Large  - 165   Total  -  998

This will be the last month delivering to the grade and high schools.  The Pre-schools will get double bag delivery on June 8th.  

Volunteer Coordinator:

Sorting day is Friday, May 15th at 9 am; Packing and Delivery Day is Monday,  May 18th at 9 am. 

Website:

Frank was not at meeting, but we assume website will be up to date. 

Grants:

Plantation:  We received a $3,000 grant from Plantation.  Susan and Connie picked up the check and a certificate last week.  Plantation gave out $587,000 in grants this year as it will be the last time they are doing it.

Community Foundation:   Yvette received a $5,000 grant from them.

Heron Creek:    Naomi spoke with Sama who requested a site visit.  She suggested packing day, and he will get back to her to confirm. 

Scrapbook:

 Linda will print out pictures for book.  She also plans to make an album of just photos. 

Old Business:

The Gallery:  Some of the Board members visited The Gallery to determine if it is feasible to hold our meetings there.  It will work for the Board meetings, but not the General meetings.  We are still looking into the Shannon Staub library for the General meetings.   Carol is waiting to hear back from the library to confirm dates.

Dunkin Donuts:    They have placed donation boxes in North Port, Sarasota and Fort Myers.  They are willing to take over the responsibility of them.

North Port Community Baby Shower:  April 11, 2026   Judy and Jeanne attended and gave out a lot of items.  We even got our newest volunteer, Jenny, from that event!

Duck Race:  Friday, April 10th Judy and Naomi attended.  Judy felt it wasn’t very successful as the Chamber did not advertise it as a family event.   The Chamber plans to do it again next year, and hopefully it will be better.

Business Expo:   Judy and Jeanne attended.  At first we could not get a table.  At the last minute, someone from the Chamber gave it to us for free – it’s usually $225.  Judy felt the businesses were becoming more aware of us and want to work with us.  One of the dentists donated toothbrushes.

Allamanda Women’s Garden Club Banquet:  April 23, 2026  Naomi and her husband attended.   She said it was a lovely evening.  They gave us $100 through the Giving Challenge.  Carol will try to get the picture they took that evening.

Newcomer’s Day:  They didn’t give us a table this year, but Naomi went anyway.  Then she saw there were 3 empty tables!  She walked around and felt she got lots of support from the tables. 

Naomi has spoken several times to a young man who is selling Snoodles.  Although she repeatedly tells him it is not something we would give out or purchase, he keeps asking.  We decided she should ask him if he would donate 1x and we would put them in our large bags.

New Business:

New Sun Reporter:   Donna told us that Sue Erwin, from the Sun, would like to become involved with the BPA.  Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to make the meeting to cover the donation from Talon Bay.  Donna will contact Sue and send pictures.  If she wants to do an article, she will connect with Naomi.

Chamber Award:  We received a framed certificate from the Chamber for being a member for 10 years.  

Publicity Ideas:  Donna had some suggestions as our Publicist.  She felt the website needs to be refreshed, with possibly a regular update for volunteers or a newsletter to members.  

She discussed a welcome back social for the fall, but Susan said in the past the volunteers did not want us spending money on an event for them.  They felt i uses the money that should go to hygiene products.

Donna said she sends out Blasts for other groups.  She also suggested flyers be put in libraries.  We told her Frank does flyers when we need them.   Putting something out in August might be well-timed.

She felt that since we don’t get many volunteers at our monthly general meetings, maybe we should cut them down to quarterly.  Also if we serve some snacks, attendance might pick up!   

Northport/Non-Profits:  Dot asked if there was any movement on getting a “shared space” for Non-profits.  Apparently Loveland has found a place, Kiwanis and the Art Center are still looking, and we will stay with our present arrangement at the storage place.

Workshop for Veterans:  Linda Lambert said she is giving a free workshop to Veterans called “Busted Canvas”.  It will be held Sunday, June 28 at the Gallery.  Please pass the word to any Vets you might know.

Naomi adjourned the meeting at 11:02

     OUR NEXT GENERAL MEETING IS

TUESDAY September 8, 2026 @ 10:00 am.   Location:  TBD