Muslim Nonprofit Donating Backpacks with School Supplies

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — This weekend, the Islamic Circle of North America Relief will distribute 500 backpacks with school supplies to the Yonkers and New Rochelle neighborhoods in Westchester County. The first distribution took place on last Saturday on Aug. 18 in South Yonkers.

This weekend's events will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday Aug. 25, at the Nepperhan Community Center located at 342 Warburton Ave. in Yonkers and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 at the Islamic Center of New Rochelle, located at 470 North Ave, New Rochelle. Another event is also being planned in Mount Vernon by the group on the following weekend, the location and date will be announced.

These events are part of a larger national drive — #OneNationOneCause — sponsored by ICNA Relief in its commitment to building stronger communities by empowering youth through education. Nationwide 50,000 children will benefit from backpacks with school supplies distributed across 110+ cities, with over 220 partners, in 35 states and Puerto Rico.

“Education is power and those who attain it will hold a bright future in this world,” said ICNA Relief’s Coordinator Omar Ranginwala. “We want to give a child the tools to succeed so he/she can find success in their lifetime.”

“This drive, #OneNationOneCause, is an expression of solidarity. We stand together, and are committed to being there for our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable. These are Islamic principles and universal human values in action,” said Maqsood Ahmed, CEO of ICNA Relief. “Our goal nationwide is 50,000 children. How can it not have an impact?”

ICNA Relief is one of the largest Muslim American charities working domestically. It serves 17,000 people in need across the country through 15 transitional homes for displaced women and children, car donations, refugee resettlement programs, professional family and individual counseling and food pantries.

In 2017 alone, ICNA Relief distributed 27,075 backpacks with supplies, in 187 locations in 26 states. Since 2009, ICNA Relief has distributed over 150,000 backpacks filled with supplies, nationwide to low-income children in need including refugees.

Image via Shutterstock.