School starts much earlier in August this year. As the 2011-2012 school year quickly approaches, the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida’s 12th Annual Big Backpack Event, Lee County’s largest back-to-school outreach event is set to begin.

The community-wide back to school festival and outreach program will be held Sunday, July 24 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers.

More than 12,000 people are expected to attend, with over 2,000 Lee County students ages 5-12 receiving free backpacks, school supplies and other giveaways at this year’s event. There is never a fee to attend, and all families are welcome.

The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida’s main goal is to support students in need while celebrating the diversity in their community. Backpacks and school supplies will be provided to the first 2,000 elementary school age children (ages 5-12) who attend.

Children must be present with their parent or guardian to receive these supplies. The Big Backpack Event also provides free services such as eye exams, haircuts and fingerprinting. Festivities include face painting, a bounce house, and a full day of live multicultural entertainment on the main stage.

The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida is a 501c3 organization that raises funds to support students in need with their back-to-school needs.

Event sponsors include Harborside Event Center, City of Fort Myers, Lee County Public Schools, Woman’s Life of SWFL, Bell Tower Shops, Hispanic American Business Alliance, Harry Chapin Food Bank, CRE8 Salon & Spa, News-Press Multi Media Group, Lee Family News, Azteca, D’Latinos, Jason’s Deli, Hodges University and Conric PR & Marketing.

For more information about the BIG Backpack Event or The Multicultural Centre of SWFL, visit www.multiculturalcentre.org‘>www.multiculturalcentre.org‘>www.multiculturalcentre.org‘>www.multiculturalcentre.org, call 239-561-7345, or email multicultural@juno.com‘>multicultural@juno.com‘>multicultural@juno.com‘>multicultural@juno.com.