Across the United States, many young people face limited access to the basic resources that support their development. These limitations create barriers that shape how youth experience the world around them.

ICNA Relief’s Back2School campaign is one of several efforts aimed at addressing these gaps for students. Through partnerships with local leaders, masjids, schools, and volunteers, ICNA Relief connects national resources with neighborhood needs.

This work is not just about short-term support. It is a commitment to ensuring that youth aren’t left behind due to circumstances outside their control.

Supporting Youth by Supporting Families

Though the program centers on students, it often reaches whole families. When a parent attends a backpack distribution, they may also learn about food assistance, health screenings, or mental health services offered nearby.

This interconnected model allows ICNA Relief to address immediate needs while building longer-term connections. The emphasis is not only on the student’s academic start but on the broader stability that supports their ability to learn.

The Importance of Returning Year After Year

The impact of this work comes not only from what is given, but from the consistency with which ICNA Relief returns. Families know the support will be there each year. That reliability builds trust and allows communities to plan for, and with, these services.

Since its launch, the Back2School campaign has distributed more than one million backpacks across the country. But it’s not the number that defines the program. It’s the ongoing presence. When support is reliable, families are more likely to engage, and students are more likely to begin school with confidence.