School Backpacks Teach Lesson Of Charity

In a society of questionable role models and corrosive influences, parents are always on the lookout for ways to impart desirable values to young children. The Zakat Foundation of America (ZF) offers a double blessing. Not only does it teach children the value of charity, but it also supplies toys, school supplies, and hygiene products to children in need. Charitable families and youth groups may become uniquely involved as each child purchases a school backpack and fills it with items suitable for any age and gender of the child’s choice. The child is also encouraged to include a letter, his or her photograph, and the address to which the recipient can respond. The backpacks are collected by ZF and distributed to poverty-stricken children here in the United States and abroad in countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ghana, Palestine and Turkey.

 Each backpack is filled with such things as safe toys, colorful pens and pencils, a handy pencil sharpener, erasers, crayons and markers, a notebook and paper, construction paper, craft scissors, non-toxic glue, fun stickers, sticky notes, a calculator, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair comb and brush, soap, towel and wash cloth, and a cap, socks, or t-shirt. (Packs do not include used items, toy soldiers or other war-related toys, food, candy, medicine, or breakable or sharp objects.)

In this tremendous effort to provide basic supplies from kids to kids with love, ZF has already collected and distributed hundreds of backpacks in Chicago, Harvey and Markham, Illinois. As well New Mexico. Backpacks are actively being collected by The Zakat Foundation, 9925 S. 76 Ave. Bridgeview, IL 60455. Any family, group, or individual wishing to participate may bring or mail backpacks to ZF. (In lieu of a backpack, ZF will accept a donation of $25, along with a photo and letter to be included in a backpack prepared by ZF.)