Volunteers from Temple Emanu-El gathered in midtown Manhattan to make close to 1,000 care packages for people in need.

Rabbi Amy Ehrlich says they took on the challenge for their spring Mitzvah Day.

“Mitzvah is a sacred religious obligation and our responsibility to partner with those who are in need,” said Ehrlich.

Congregants from the East 65th Street temple spent the day packing items for children and adults that will be sent to several nonprofit organizations.

“When we contact our partner organizations, they tell us what their needs are. Very often it's essential items like toiletries or warm clothing, blankets, things like that,” said Ehrlich.

One of the organizations is Bronx-based Part of the Solution, also known as POTS. The group provides services to people in need including clothes, food, showers and housing.

Volunteers at the gathering also assembled Passover packages for Holocaust survivors.

“We hope that it makes them feel like they're part of something larger,” said Ehrlich.