This article originally appeared in The Yeshiva World.

Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein and Met Council CEO David Greenfield today announced a last-minute partnership to provide emergency grocery needs for hard-hit needy families in the wake of COVID-19. Despite the 149 distributions held by Met Council, some Flatbush families were still in need of additional assistance. Guided by the Rabbonim of the Flatbush community and the Flatbush Community Fund, families who lost income due to coronavirus were recommended to receive this allotment of funds. Many of these families are members of the community who found themselves suddenly out of work and forced to seek assistance for the first time in their lives.

These grocery store credits will serve as effective, immediate relief to families that lost jobs or other sources of income due to COVID-19.

Funded by a private donor and the UJA-Federation, the funds granted 182 families an allotment of up to $250 to be redeemed at Kosher Palace Supermarket in Flatbush for Pesach related food shopping. Generously, the owner of Kosher Palace Supermarket agreed to increase the amount given to each family by 10%. In order to provide dignity and ease of use, the funds were deposited directly in the supermarket accounts of the families.