Police, Muslim Community Join Forces to Distribute Backpacks to 400 Jersey City Children

JERSEY CITY, NJ – Volunteers from Islamic Circle of North America Relief (ICNA) joined with Jersey City police officers Saturday to give out 400 backpacks filled with schools supplies as well as 500 slices of pizzas.

Decked out t-shirts that read “Knowledge is Power” the volunteers, part of ICNA’s One Nation One Cause Back2School Giveaway Campaign donated supplies and distributed them at the Jersey City Police Department’s West District.
The event, now in its third year, was a cooperative effort between the Jersey City Policeman’s Benevolent Association (JCPOBA) and the Muslim American Law Enforcement Association (MALEA).

“There is no disputing that providing every child a quality education is the best way to make our communities safer,” Carmine Disbrow, President of the JCPOBA, said. “We are proud to be a part of this effort, that not only has 400 children more prepared for a challenging school year, but also recognizes the diversity of our city.”
The project, developed by the Islamic Center of North America Relief USA, was created to meet the needs of students across the United States by providing them with a free backpack filled with supplies. Across New Jersey ICNA Relieve gave up 2,000 book-bags and in 2019 they gave out 45,000 book-bags across the United States.

ICNA Relief USA’s projects include women’s shelters, disaster response services, hunger prevention programs, Muslim family services, emergency and funeral assistance and medical clinics.
In past years, the event took place just prior to when kids started back to school. But, as national organizers for the program said, while the global COVID-19 pandemic may have thrown them a curveball, but ICNA Relief is still committed to ensuring that kids have the tools they need to make their educational aspirations come to fruition.
The goal of the program, which benefits students and families of all backgrounds, is to empower  through education, something ICNA Relief does by helping them out with their school supplies and backpack needs. According to the teaching of the faith, acquiring knowledge is obligatory upon for Muslim.
Article Courtesy: tapinto.net