Food Drive Boxes at the Fire Stations: Ways to Give Back in Venice, North Port & Wellen Park This November

by Scott Swonger

Lakefront splash pad and palm trees in Downtown Wellen, Wellen Park, Venice, FL

If you've walked into Venice City Hall this week, you may have noticed the collection boxes by the main entrance. The same boxes are sitting at all three Venice fire stations, including the one on Laurel Road that a lot of us in Wellen Park drive past every day, and they're there to fill pantry shelves before Thanksgiving.

November is when our part of the Gulf Coast fills back up, and it's also when a lot of local giving happens. Here are a few simple ways to pitch in over the next few weeks, all confirmed this week.

Red HomeSmart header graphic reading Food Drive Boxes at the Fire Stations, ways to give back in Venice, North Port and Wellen Park

The "Feed the Hungry" Food Drive Runs Through Nov. 25

The Coalition of South County Food Pantries is running its "Feed the Hungry" drive through Nov. 25, and every donation supports five Venice food pantries.

What they're asking for:

Nonperishable food (anything shelf-stable)
Boxed milk
Pet food
Diapers

Where to drop it off:

Venice City Hall, 401 W. Venice Ave. (boxes by the main entrance and at the Building Department)
Venice Police Department, 1575 E. Venice Ave.
Venice fire stations at 112 S. Harbor Dr., 200 N. Grove St. and 5300 Laurel Rd.

The Laurel Road station is the easy one if you're coming from Wellen Park, Gran Paradiso or the Laurel Road corridor. One note: City Hall is closed Wednesday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day (more on that below), so plan your City Hall drop-off for another day. You can find more about the coalition at southcountyfoodpantry.com.

Flower urn and palm trees in the median of West Venice Avenue, a few blocks from Venice City Hall, one of the food drive drop-off sites

Veterans Day Is Wednesday, Nov. 11

Veterans Day is a good moment to say thank you in person, and there is a ceremony close to home.

North Port Veterans Day Ceremony. The City of North Port is joining VFW Post 8203 for its Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Veterans Park, 13750 Tamiami Trail, the home of the city's Circle of Honor. The city's event page says everyone is welcome. Details are on the City of North Port event page.

Venice City Hall closed. Venice City Hall and all other city buildings are closed to the public on Wednesday, Nov. 11 for the holiday. The City says there is no change to garbage, yard waste or recycling pickup that day, and residents should have their items at the curb by 7 a.m.

If you know a veteran on your street, a note or a phone call that day goes a long way.

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Brick-paved main street and shops in Downtown Wellen, Wellen Park, where the Glow Bike Ride for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast is planned

Ride for a Cause: The Glow Bike Ride in Downtown Wellen

Looking a little further ahead, Wellen Park is partnering with Bicycles International on a nighttime Glow Bike Ride on Saturday, Dec. 5 in Downtown Wellen. Check-in begins at 6 p.m., every rider must be registered, helmets are required, and proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast. Registration details are on the Wellen Park events page.

The night before, Friday, Dec. 4, is Wellen Wonderland, with the Christmas tree lighting in Downtown Wellen. Wellen Park says more details are coming soon, so it's a good one to keep an eye on as the holiday decorations go up.

Shaded lawn with red Adirondack chairs under an oak tree in Downtown Wellen, Wellen Park, Venice, FL

Small Ways to Help That Don't Need a Calendar

Not everything has to be an event. A few easy habits that help this time of year:

Add a few cans to your regular grocery run and leave them in the car until you pass the Laurel Road fire station or City Hall.
Don't forget the pets. Pet food is on the drive's wish list, and it's easy to grab an extra bag.
Check on a neighbor. Season brings people back, but some neighbors are here alone over the holidays.
Share this post with your HOA or club group so more people know where the boxes are before Nov. 25.

Why I Write About This

I sell homes in Venice, Wellen Park and Gran Paradiso, but what makes this area feel like home is how quickly people show up for each other. The fire station boxes are a small thing. Filled up, they make a real difference before Thanksgiving.

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico near Venice, Florida

Thinking about a move this season, or just curious what your home would sell for in today's market? I'm happy to run the numbers for you, no pressure.

What's my home worth?

Details come from the Englewood Review's Nov. 5, 2026 report on the Coalition of South County Food Pantries drive, the City of North Port event page, the City of Venice website and wellenpark.com/events, all checked Nov. 6, 2026. Dates, times and drop-off sites can change, so check with the organizer before you go.

I'm Scott Swonger, and I've lived in Gran Paradiso since 2017. I'm not a pushy realtor, just a neighbor who loves it here. Want more? Visit scottswongerrealtor.com or text me at 941-600-3534.

Scott Swonger, PA, REALTOR®
HomeSmart Residential & Commercial Realty