Students from the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (MTA) have partnered with Met Council, America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy, to create and distribute over 100 care packages for university students on financial aid in honor of Chanukah.

The care packages, thoughtfully designed to help students navigate the stressful finals period, include school supplies, snacks, protein-rich foods, and other essential items. The initiative comes at a crucial time, as many YU students run out of funds on their food cards by the end of each semester, exacerbating the financial and emotional challenges they face.

MTA students spent hours volunteering their time to raise funds for the initiative, as well as assembling and distributing the packages. The effort stemmed from their firsthand awareness of the unique pressures faced by college students, whom they interact with regularly as neighbors and campus sharers in Washington Heights.

MTA senior Avraham Greenfield, who spearheaded the effort, reflected on his motivation: “I’ve seen YU students studying on campus and some are struggling to make it through finals, often running out of money for things like food. We wanted to make sure they felt supported and cared for during finals.”

Josh, a YU student from Stamford, expressed his gratitude: “This is really amazing. You’re giving people the opportunity to just focus on their finals, and it’s really helpful.”

Rabbi Benyamin Bortz, Director of Student Activities at MTA, praised the initiative: “This program is the perfect blend of the YU and MTA relationship. Rabbi Pearl’s shiur was able to come together to do chesed for the rebbeim and the YU guys. As a former YU student, I know that this program will help many students get through finals. It was incredible to see how our small acts of chesed could bring so much joy to the rebbeim and the YU community. It reminded me how connected we all are and how much even small gestures can make a big difference during stressful times like finals.”

“When the students at MTA came to us with this idea, we knew we had to get involved,” said Hannah Lupien, Managing Director of Food at Met Council. “These high school students are already showing incredible leadership and compassion. By stepping up to help their fellow students, they’re not just performing a critical chesed for their neighbors, they’re showing empathy; they’re demonstrating what it means to be leaders in the Jewish community and beyond.”

The collaboration between MTA and Met Council exemplifies the power of community, compassion, and student-driven action in addressing real-world challenges, while teaching the next generation the value of giving back.