CLEWISTON  -- Clewiston school aged students will have the opportunity to pick up a free backpack and school supplies Wednesday during the Florida Community Health Center’s annual “Back to School Event.”

Three hundred backpacks provided by numerous businesses and charitable organizations filled with school supplies, hand sanitizers, and other necessities will be offered between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the John Boy Auditorium, 1200 WC Owen Ave. in Clewiston.

The drive-through event requires children to be accompanied by a parent. Free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations will also be available.

FCHC Center Administrator Nardina Johnson said the Clewiston office has offered the event for over 20 years.

“As a community health center, we wanted to assist our patients with backpacks and school supplies at that time,” she said.

It’s been popular ever since, with schools sending lists of needed supplies to FCHC, which Johnson said spends about $2,500 to fulfill with its many partners.

The H. E. Hill Foundation, Inc., has been a major contributor, Johnson said, providing generous donations which covers most of the backpacks and supplies. Last year USSC supplied backpacks to  elementary schools.

USSC, United Way, Healthier Hendry Glades Task Force, Pure Country WAFC, Ross Dynasty, HC Migrant Education, Healthy Families and Healthy Start, Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast in Florida, WIC, CARD, Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida and many others have supported the program over the years.

In past years 300-400 backpacks loaded with school supplies have been distributed. And while it doesn’t happen often, any unclaimed backpacks are distributed to other agencies or the Migrant Ed Program for distribution with their programs.