Smiles filled the room as students received backpacks and school supplies.

As students across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) prepare to return to the classroom, Muslim Hands Canada (MHCA) supported local families through a back-to-school initiative providing more than 200 backpacks filled with essential school supplies to students in need.

With the cost of living continuing to rise, many families across Canada are struggling to afford the essentials their children need for the school year. The initiative reflects MHCA’s commitment to supporting communities across Canada and helping ensure students have the supplies they need to begin the school year prepared and confident.

“Every student deserves the opportunity to start the school year feeling prepared, supported, and confident,” said Meena Mangal, Programs Coordinator at MHCA. “We are thrilled to support local families and invest in the communities that mean so much to us.”

The Back-to-School Initiative builds on MHCA’s recent community efforts. In Hamilton, MHCA funded 500 food parcels for families in need. In Toronto, the organization provided about 6,000 hot meals to people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. MHCA also distributed 500 winter jackets to individuals in need in downtown Toronto. We intend to continue developing and expanding our local programs in response to community needs.