The Multicultural Centre of SWFL will be hosting their 24th Annual Big Backpack Event this July, providing Lee County students with free backpacks, supplies and bags of food (while supplies last).
A special thanks goes out to our presenting sponsor, Neal Communities, and the many generous business, individual and media sponsors who make this event possible each year.
The Multicultural Centre of SWFL has collaborated with Midwest Food Bank of Florida, Community Cooperative and other local businesses to provide food and supplies for families.
Other sponsors include: the City of Fort Myers, Comcast, CONRIC pr + marketing, FLY 98.5, HABA, Humana Healthy Horizons, Latino 97.7, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County School District, Macaroni KID Fort Myers - Fort Myers Beach, Maxima 97.3/95.7, Quantum Fiber and Six Mile Charter Academy.
Location: | Event Date & Time: Sunday July 30, 2023 10am - 2pm |
FAQs
How do I qualify for a backpack?
The parent/guardian must have the child(ren) ages 5 - 12 present in the vehicle. They will form a car line (monitored by the FMPD) and proceed to the front of the Skatium. Once at the front, one (1) backpack per child and one (1) bag of food per car will be placed in your trunk (while supplies last). You do not need to register to attend!
Will there be entertainment?
As this is a drive-through event, no one will be allowed to exit there vehicles - the safety of our community and volunteers is our top priority. We will have a DJ playing music from the sidewalk, along with Fort Myers Police Department officers, Fort Myers Fire Department Firefighters, Lee County Sheriff's deputies, and more that will be interacting with the children in vehicles as they pass through.
What items will children receive?
Each child, ages 5 - 12, will receive a free backpack filled with school supplies (children must be present in the car). We will also have bags of dry and canned goods for each car (while supplies last).
Below is a basic list of school supplies most frequently requested by Lee County District Schools. We may include more items that are not listed, depending on the supplies and amount of funds that are donated:
- Erasers
- Markers, Colored Pencils & Crayons
- Glue Sticks
- Scissors
- Loose Leaf Paper
- Pocket Folders
- #2 Pencils/Mechanical Pencils
- Highlighters
- Ruler
- Blue or Black pens
- Spiral Notebook
Can I pick my backpack?
Due to the size of the event and amount of backpacks/supplies we receive, we will be unable to hold/request specific backpacks. Most backpacks are gender neutral in a variety of different colors, but we will try to match a color that would be more specific to a girl or boy. All backpacks should fit a student in grade school.
How many backpacks will be available?
This depends on the number of donations and funds we receive. In 2022, about 2,100 backpacks and 1,800 bags of food were given away to Lee County Students. Our goal for this year is 2,000!
Want to Volunteer/Donate?
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Or Mail Checks to: The Multicultural Centre of SWFL The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida, Inc. P.O. Box 61713 Fort Myers, Florida 33906 |
For more information, click here!
Please email info@multicultural-centre.org or mackidfortmyersbeach@macaronikid.com with any questions!
