Supplying free book bags containing school supplies to children is part of the new Islamic Ministries and Community Development’s outreach efforts.
Imam Faruq Post chatted with parents and children visiting the nonprofit’s Back 2 School Giveaway on Sunday in Hagerstown’s West End. A canopy was set up in front of the group’s 455 W. Washington St. home with school supplies and information about the nonprofit. They had about 250 book bags to give away.
Hagerstown resident Casey Grant stopped by with her son, Kaleb, 7, who will be in second grade at Pangborn Elementary School when Washington County Public Schools start the school year Sept. 4.
Grant said the nonprofit sounds interesting, and she likes that it aims to help the homeless, an effort “Hagerstown seriously needs.”
Khiyanna Fields, 14, who will attend South Hagerstown High School, also appreciated Islamic Ministries’ back-to-school event.
Khiyanna said she is “kind of nervous” about being a high school freshman. She and some of her younger siblings picked up school supplies at the event.
An official with First Baptist Church, across the street, planned to return to pick up 20 book bags for youths, Post said.
Post said it is the “necessary and obligatory” duty of every resident in Hagerstown and across the country to reach out to its community and lend a hand.
In addition to having the back-to-school event, the nonprofit has provided food to more than 200 people since opening a food pantry in March. The food pantry is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to noon.
The nonprofit, which started in January, works with the Islamic Society of Western Maryland based off Day Road, but is a separate organization from the mosque, Post said.
