The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida is teaming up with the Cape Coral Police Department and others throughout the community to collect backpacks and school supplies to help children facing financial hardship as they head back to school.

To support the backpack drive and the CAC’s prevention programs, donations of new school supplies may be made between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. before July 20 at the following locations:

n Children’s Advocacy Center, 3830 Evans Ave., Fort Myers

n Cape Coral Police Department, 1100 Cultural Park Blvd., Cape Coral.

Since 1981, the CAC’s mission has been to provide a coordinated response to victims of child abuse and neglect to improve the lives of at-risk children and their families through prevention services. The CAC provides abuse determination services, therapeutic counseling, pet therapy, advocacy, and parenting education. CEO, Julie Boudreaux, encourages the community to help where they can.

For more information on the Children’s Advocacy Center and how you can help to support the Community Backpack Drive or other initiatives that help children and families, please call 239-939-2808 or consider making a tax-deductible donation at cac-swfl.org. You can also sign up for their newsletter to stay informed on other upcoming events.