Queens, NY, July 18, 2018 – ICNA Relief, one of America’s largest Muslim charities, is launching its annual Back2School drive to raise and distribute thousands of free book bags and supplies, across a record 35 states and Puerto Rico, in more than 70 cities, over 30 days.
The community is invited to contribute donations at icnarelief.org/back2school. Besides individual donors, the event is in partnership with villages, libraries, faith groups, and businesses. Since 2009, ICNA Relief has given away over 150,000 backpacks to kids in need, including refugees, all over the U.S. In 2017 alone, ICNA Relief distributed 27,075 backpacks with supplies, in 187 locations in 26 states.
On July 22nd, the nonprofit’s leadership will be holding a press conference to announce a mega giveaway event to be held on August 11th when ICNA RELIEF will distribute backpacks and supplies to children in need, across the USA, as part of their #OneNationOneCause Back2School Drive.
“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. We are grateful to all our partners coming together as one,” said Mr. Maqsood Ahmed, CEO of ICNA Relief.
According to the National Retail Federation, parents spends on average over $600 on school related shopping for their kids. “Many of us at ICNA Relief are parents ourselves and want to ease parents’ burden by helping kids in need with free school supplies,” Shahid Farooqi, one of the chief organizers of the ICNA Relief’s Back2School campaign.
The following states have events: AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IOWA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI and Puerto Rico.
Please stay tuned and check www.icnarelief.org, for a list of all giveaway timings and locations. If you would like more information, please contact Shahid Farooqi at (718) 658-7028 or email at shahidfarooqi@icnarelief.org.
