A mobile food pantry, and backpack giveaway, which is being underwritten by the Gunterberg Charitable Foundation, will be held at the Southwest Florida Military Museum & Library next Thursday.

The event will begin at 11:30 a.m., July 23, at 4820 Leonard St., Cape Coral, and continue until supplies run out. People are encouraged to stay in their cars, but Cape Coral Caring Center Executive Director Julie Ferguson said people who walk up will also be served.

“We prefer people to be in their cars, but if it’s not an option we will help,” she said.

Ferguson said the Gunterberg Charitable Foundation will also provide backpacks for children while supplies last. She said children should be present to receive one.

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter will also be in attendance distributing pet food.

“No matter what schools look like, backpacks and school supplies are needed, and pets always need food. Everyone is welcome,” Ferguson said. “Anyone that needs food is welcome to come and any child that needs a backpack is welcome to come. It’s going to be a fun day.”

There is still a huge need in the community as the economy recovers from the shutdown due to COVID-19.

Ferguson said unfortunately people were getting back to work before they all of a sudden found themselves in a situation of a businesses closing down after reopening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s going to be a while until people are actually back to normal. A long while before back to normal,” she said. “People that thought they would be O.K. found themselves not O.K.”

Ferguson said when they see cars pull up to the Cape Coral Caring Center it is not the usual car pulling up to receive assistance.

“These are people that never in their whole lives needed to get food from the food pantry,” she explained. “It’s kind of a different world out there. Making sure people have food is critical.”

Ferguson said she wants to thank the Gunterberg Charitable Foundation in helping to make sure people have food.

She said they are also seeking volunteers to help at the event.

“We are happy to have you come out and help,” Ferguson said.

The Cape Coral Caring Center is at 4645 S.E. 15th Ave, Cape Coral, FL 33904. For additional information about the center, please call 239-945-1927 or visit capecoralcaringcenter.org/.