With the cost of living at a 40-year high, families may find it even more difficult to manage the rising cost of school supplies and backpacks necessary for students to begin school in the fall. The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida says help is on the way and asks that families save the date for the 23rd Annual BIG Backpack Event scheduled for Sunday, July 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Fort Myers Skatium located at 2250 Broadway.

To make it easier for families, the first 2,000 students ages 5 to 12 will receive new backpacks, school supplies and groceries as they drive-thru curbside.

Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson has been named the 2022 honorary event chair. The founder of the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida, Leonardo Garcia, and the president and founder of CONRIC pr + marketing, Connie Ramos-Williams, will serve as event co-chairs. More than 200 volunteers are needed to stuff backpacks and grocery bags on Saturday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the day of the event from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to sign up online.

“I am humbled to be named as honorary chair of the 2022 BIG Backpack Event and proud to support the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida,” said Anderson. “The organization has consistently come through to support Lee County school children and families for more than 22 years.”

The event is made possible thanks to the generosity of corporate and individual sponsors and donations. Neal Communities has once again stepped up to be the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors over the years include WINK, Comcast, Community Cooperative, News-Press, Lee Family News, CONRIC pr + marketing and HABA.

“I volunteer and dedicate my time, talent and treasure to many nonprofits and associations throughout the region, but this year marks my 22nd year organizing The Big Backpack Event for the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida,” said Ramos-Williams. “Embracing diversity in our community and making sure every child, regardless of their circumstances, receives the support they need to succeed is why I continue to serve.”

The BIG Backpack Event will provide much needed economic relief, supplying children with new backpacks filled with pencils, pens, paper, crayons, folders and other essential back-to-school items as well as coupons and other giveaways.

“These children and families are our motivation. No one wants to see any family struggle, or any child go back to school without new backpacks and school supplies,” said Garcia.

For more information about the event, sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, visit www.multicultural-centre.org or email info@multicultural-centre.org.

Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida

The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida is a private 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization that promotes programs aimed at bringing people of different cultures together. The organization aims to culturally link Southwest Florida with other communities around the world. Since 1999, the organization, co-founded by Leonardo Garcia, has hosted The BIG Backpack Event providing support, backpacks and school supplies for families in need. For more information, visit www.multicultural-centre.org.