The International Jain Sangh (IJS) raised more than $7,000 to fill more than 300 backpacks for children as part of the United Way’s Stuff the Bus program.
IJS is a group of followers of the Jain religion in the area. For several years, IJS has been donating backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need in Middlesex County through the United Way of Central Jersey (UWCJ). This year’s effort was coordinated by Narendra C. Bhandari, joint treasurer Neelam Jain and president Himanshu Jain, according to information provided by UWCJ.
The supplies will be distributed by UWCJ to elementary school students throughout Central Jersey.
“According to the Theory of Karmas, helping others in need has two possible consequences: either it is paying back a loan, or making a deposit,” said Bhandari, a professor at Pace University, who is also a UWCJ volunteer. “The UWCJ will aggregate the donation with others in order to make the largest impact. We hope to enable students to succeed.”
Gloria Aftanski, president of the UWCJ, said, “We are very grateful to the IJS for their support to help the students. In addition to school supplies, UWCJ provides books, take-home Literacy Kits, in-home literacy development programs and much more.”
The UWCJ is headquartered at 32 Ford Ave., Milltown.
For more information about IJS, contact Jain at [email protected]. For more information on UWCJ, email Aftanski at [email protected].