The 9th Annual MAS Bay Area Back to School Project is back in 2016 with a bigger goal!

1500 backpacks and 500 books this year!

Prior to the start of each school year since 2008, MAS Bay Area has provided thousands of backpacks full of school supplies to foster and orphan children in the South Bay Area. We have expanded our reach to children of victims of domestic violence, refugee children, and children living in poverty. This year our goal is to provide backpacks full of school supplies to 1,500 local children and youth in need. 

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. -Mother Teresa

MAS Backpack project in news!

What is MAS Bay Area? 

MAS Bay Area is a local chapter of the Muslim American Society, a non-profit educational and service organization. Its goal is to educate Muslims about their religion in a balanced way while encouraging civic participation, and to partner with other faith and community organizations to serve their fellow Americans. 

What is Back to School Project? 

Though the San Francisco Bay Area is a wealthy place, there are many children who cannot afford many of the most basic things in life – including school supplies. Without the right school supplies, children may have a hard time succeeding in school, which will affect how well they do for the rest of their lives.This is why MAS Bay Area does the Back to School Project every year. We help provide backpacks to children who are in the child welfare system in Santa Clara County – meaning they are orphans or foster children. We also provide supplies to children of women who have been victims of domestic violence.The first year of the project, 2008, we provided 25 backpacks to Next Door Solutions. Last year, we provided 1,250 backpacks and 300 books.

This is our 9th year of the project, and in 2016 we hope to serve 1,500 children and youth with our backpacks full of supplies as well as 500 books to babies and children younger than school age. Our project almost entirely depends on individual donations. 

What is in each backpack? 

Colored pencils, crayons, markers, glue stick, facial tissue box, #2 pencils, pencil box, eraser, binder paper and/or notebook, folders with pockets, pens, backpack, an informational card with a written description of the project and its supporters. 

Why your help is vital?

1. Receiving school supplies and a backpack is a first step towards enabling a child to seek knowledge.

2. Knowledge is a power that can transform a child's life.

3. The recipients get a sense of normalcy in an otherwise difficult life, knowing that they have brand new supplies just like their classmates. Just this confidence can do wonders for a child's success!

4. Know that your donation is transforming a life for a greater good.

Which organizations receive the backpacks? 

We reach the children and youth through our community partners who are already working with those in need:

Next Door Solutions 

Legal Advocates for Children and Youth (LACY) 

Child Advocates of Silicon Valley

Rahima Foundation