Muslims give out free school supplies in Bed-Stuy amidst economic crisis

Aug. 16, 2011 - PRLog -- BROOKLYN, New York- This August, over 5,000 needy children across New York City will receive free school bags filled with supplies including notebooks, pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, rulers, crayons and more.

ICNA Relief, a division of The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), a NY based national organization, plans to give out 500 free school bags and school supplies to the Bedford-Stuyvesant community this Sunday, August 21, 2011, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

This initiative is part of ICNA’s national Back 2 School Giveaway Project, which is hosting over 30 similar events across the U.S. These efforts hope to help over 15,000 children nationwide.

“Many families in Bed-Stuy are under financial pressure; some have lost jobs and find it difficult to buy school supplies for their children,” said Asim Ranginwala, Outreach Director for ICNA NY. “We hope this initiative will cater to these needs of low-income families, and help build a better future for our children.”

Islam teaches us, “A person is not a Muslim who fills his stomach while his neighbor is hungry.” The month of Ramadan also gives special importance to increasing charitable acts, as fasting develops compassion for those who are poor and needy, inspiring the act of giving. Through the Back 2 School Giveaway, ICNA hopes to both help struggling families provide for their children and inspire the American Muslim community to partake in this commendable act.

ICNA NY will be hosting giveaways this August in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and Westchester. ICNA was able to bring school bags, school supplies and smiles to over 3,500 children in New York City last year.

ICNA Back 2 School Giveaway (Brooklyn, NY)

Date & Time:
Sunday, August 21, 2011
2-4 PM

Location:
Masjid Taqwa
1266 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11216

To view all of our giveaway locations please visit www.back2schoolgiveaway.com.

Press Contact: Saad Ahmad
E-mail: pr@icnany.org
Cell: 347-602-1255

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The Islamic Circle of North America is an American Muslim organization dedicated to the betterment of society through promoting Islamic values. ICNA works to build community relations by devoting itself to education, outreach, and social service.