Commissioner Carrie Wiggins highlights back-to-school drive, food giveaways and housing projects

Lisa Holder, communications and marketing manager for the city of Sanford, invited Commissioner Carrie Wiggins to describe a series of summer community programs aimed at families and residents.

Wiggins said the centerpiece is her 6th annual back-to-school event at the Westside Community Center, held in partnership with Seminole County Public Schools and district programs that will set up resource tables in the gym. "This is gonna be our 6th annual," she said, describing the event as an opportunity for parents and caregivers to pick up backpacks, school supplies and connect directly with city staff and school representatives.

Why it matters: Wiggins emphasized that the event is both a resource fair and a chance for residents to access city services without an appointment. She described her regular community meeting — normally the third Thursday of each month at the Westside Community Center — as a place where police, fire, code enforcement, community development, parks and recreation, and public works are available to answer questions. Wiggins said the July back-to-school program will include a table from transportation and other district services, and that the full flyer and registration are available on the city website.

Details and community programs: Wiggins spoke about other district activities that feed into the same outreach effort. She described a monthly food giveaway run with Mark and Ryan of the Picnic Project and said a recent large giveaway distributed groceries with help from local volunteers and faith partners. "We were able to give away about 33,000 pounds of groceries to 350 families," she said; she also used the phrase "a little over 13,100 citizens" when discussing reach, language that was not further clarified on the episode. Wiggins also recounted a holiday effort that last year "might have gave away at least 1,200 gifts," with many children leaving with two to three presents.

Housing initiatives: Wiggins described collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and recent construction activity in the district. She said there was a wall-raising and "we got 19 homes" planned for an upcoming subdivision. She also outlined a larger multi-phase housing plan that she described as including "60 senior living" units and "60 other units" and — in the same breath — referenced "180 units" when summarizing broader build-out; the transcript did not resolve that numerical discrepancy.

How residents can take part: Holder and Wiggins reminded listeners that registration is required for the back-to-school event, that the flyer will be on the city website and social channels, and that the event offers free breakfast. Holder gave Wiggins's contact email as carrie.wiggins@sanfordfl.gov and directed listeners to sanfordfl.gov to look up elected officials by address.

The episode closed with Holder thanking Wiggins and reminding listeners that Sanford Says is available via podcast platforms and the city website.