Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida

About us

The Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), was founded by Leonardo Garcia and Jim White over a decade ago with the vision of helping to promote diversity in our Southwest Florida community. In the first year approximately 200 people attended our first event serving 50 children in need with back-to-school supplies and backpacks. Our past events have averaged 5,000 in attendance and near 40,000 Lee County school age children have been served since 1999.

Welcome
to the Multicultural Centre of Southwest Florida!

Our mission is to promote and embrace diversity in our community and to support Lee County school children of all cultures start back-to-school each year with confidence & pride! Since 1999, we have provided close to 40,000 Lee County school age children in need with FREE backpacks and necessary school supplies.

A group of dedicated volunteers on our Event Committee works hard each year to fundraise and organize the The Big Backpack Event, our annual back-to-school festival and school supply giveaway. It has become one of Lee County's BIGGEST Back-To-School outreach programs. Last year an estimated 5,000 people were in attendance, over 2,000 children received backpacks and school supplies, and approximately 20 vendors participated by providing fingerprinting, free back-to-school haircuts, face painting, and games for the kids.