Volunteers with the Chabad Jewish Center of Suffern are delivering staples of Shabbat to village residents.

The center created more than 2,000 gift bags of homemade challah and other items to distribute on Friday.

The effort is called Share the Loaf. Jewish families in Suffern will have an extra special Shabbat, or day of rest, thanks to the center. 

Rabbi Shmuel Gancz tells News 12 the idea was born to bring joy to families following a difficult year.

"When we give, we really receive,” says Gancz. “This is what we are created for. It’s not all about ourselves. Caring and giving love is always infectious and this is really the virus we should be spreading.”

The rabbi says that after seeing all the smiles sparked by the gift baskets, the initiative will likely become an annual tradition.