Manteca’s Interfaith Community Appeal Alliance donated $3,500 worth of gift cards this week to help Manteca Unified assist homeless students.

It brings the four-year effort of the group to $16,000 in donations in the form of clothing and gift cards.

The Interfaith board met Wednesday morning at the Islamic Center of Manteca on Union Road prior to the distribution of their gifts throughout the community.

Those churches represented include the Islamic Center, 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.

Their platform through their published mission statement reads, “Manteca Interfaith Community Alliance endeavors to bring together people various faiths, beliefs and traditions around common goals of service, education and peace for all people.  We achieve this by acting with respect, appreciating our diversity and responding in solidarity with those most in need, while promoting these values in our community from generation to generation, one activity at a time.”

The group’s upcoming schedule of events included the presentation of resources for homeless children later this month.  The International Day of Prayer event is scheduled for Sept. 21 and Evenings of Respect set to be held monthly.

Planning meetings are open to the public on the second Wednesdays of the month at 8:30 a.m.  

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.