A city leader lends a helping hand to the borough's Jewish community.

Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito joined volunteers Monday at Young Israel of Staten Island.

The Council of Jewish Organizations, or COJO handed out free, kosher for Passover groceries to families ahead of the Jewish holiday.

Organizers say they hope to lift the financial burden many families face this time of year.

"Everything gets expensive, especially Passover they make prices higher and some people here have very large families so they could really use the help with the extra food,"said Blanche Ricci, a volunteer.

"And hopefully if people don't know about the food pantry this is something that is available in this borough and they serve anyone that comes through the door and that's important to know," said Melissa Mark-Viverito, (D) City Council Speaker.

COJO runs a kosher food pantry throughout the year.

For more information, go to COJOSI.org.