Several grassroots organizations are stepping in to provide relief efforts in communities they say are underserved during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Food bags were delivered to Bronx families in Castle Hill and surrounding communities Friday. The effort took place out of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s office. 

“Thousands of people have come together here in New York and across the country,” said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. 

The local relief drive gained momentum through several grassroots efforts like ‘Masks For America’ which has given out over 100,000 masks to hospital and grocery workers on the front line. 

Since the outbreak, more than $350,000 has been raised through the congresswoman’s office to help grassroots organizations continue to supply protective gear to front line workers and keep food pantries open in some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods. 

Although Rep. Ocasio-Cortez applauds the community action, she says the federal government needs to do more during the crisis. 

“It's not about when, it's not about if one is going to come -- it's going to be about if resources are going to come in time to the people that need them,” said Rep. Ocasio-Cortez. 

She’s pleading to raise $1 million by mid-June to ease some of the hardship families are facing day to day.