CHICAGO — The Majostee Allstars, a group working to empower young people on the South Side, is giving away 1,000 backpacks.
The backpacks will be available during several events leading up to Sept. 5. Chance the Rapper and his band, Social Experiment, helped sponsor the bookbags, said Ja'Mal Green, an activist and the founder of the Allstars.
The backpacks will be given away at the Allstars' Walk-a-Thon, which will run 10 a.m.-noon Saturday. It start at 79th Street and Halsted Avenue and ends at 79th and Ashland Avenue. The event will help the Allstars raise money for their new center.
Backpacks will also be available at the group's back to school event noon-4 p.m. Sept. 2 in the center's parking lot, which is across the street from the building, 7919 S. Ashland Ave.
Supporters can also post on the Majostee Allstars Facbook page with their school name. The Allstars will go to the school or schools with the most posts on Sep. 5 and hand out backpacks, Green said.
The group is raising money to renovate its center so it can provide programs — including mentoring opportunities, day care and workshops for children and adults — to area residents. So far, $54,000 has been donated.
