A pilot program is underway to make sure NYCHA residents have what they need to protect themselves from COVID-19.

Residents at the Ingersoll Houses received masks and hand sanitizer for free on Saturday from a COVID-19 task force focusing on underserved communities. The task force is a partnership between the state and the city.

There is also a food distribution program at the houses occurring weekly. Organizers of the program say they normally give out about 300 packages of food at each event.

Attorney General Letitia James, one of the leaders behind the effort, says there is a dire need in these communities.

"This virus has had a disproportional effect on people of color and so it's really critically important that we engage and reach out to the community on the ground,” she said.

The attorney general also said the COVID-19 task force brought testing kits to Ingersoll. She says they are working to expand testing to all NYCHA communities in the city.