The number of homeless students in Manteca Unified continues to grow.

“We’re at the highest (numbers) ever,” said Lynda Donelson, who pointed that to be at 1,084 during this past school year.

She’s the Homeless & Foster Case Manager / Safety Officer for MUSD.

On Wednesday, Donelson received a little help in the form of 50 family hygiene packages from the Islamic Center of Manteca’s Summer School Program.

Each of the tie-down bags contained shampoo, lotion, dental care products and other toiletries.

“These kids did a great job,” said Donelson, who mentioned that Mohammed El Farra-Immam of the Islamic Center helped provide guidance to those in this summer program.

She added: “Students learned that charity is a big part of their faith.”

The Islamic Center is also part of the Manteca Interfaith Community Alliance, joining the likes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Manteca Presbyterian Church, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Transformed Through Hope Ministries and Northgate Community Church -- couple that with the local service organizations in town -- in getting involved with helping out the homeless in Manteca over the years.

Donelson noted that MUSD homeless students are those “without a fixed adequate night time resident,” she said.

,As for the donation by youngsters from the Islamic Center, Donelson was especially touched by their generosity..

“With our growing niumbers (of homeless students), this fill a huge need,” she said.