Nobody would deny that Americans are far more inclined to charity than most. A striking proof of this has been in various recent natural disasters, when not even the richest elsewhere gave as much as a dime. But New Yorkers help not only victims of natural disasters, but those who for many reasons have found themselves down and out.

Last week, the Stefansky family, the owners of Brooklyn kosher fish company Dagim, gave about 3,000 free servings of various kinds of fish to the town's only kosher soup kitchen, Masbia.

The aim of the kitchens, whose fourth branch covers Brooklyn and Queens, is to give food aid to the poorest Jews who live in New York. Those who have no money are offered free meals – and, oddly enough, there are very many of these in the city. According to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, in New York more than 250,000 Jews live below the official poverty line. The federal poverty level provides for an annual income of around $30,000 a year for a family of four; the poor of the Jewish community live on just half that.

It is for these people, who often cannot afford food, that Masbia was established in 2005. It survives mainly on private donations and small municipal aid grants, which the head of Masbia, Alexander Rapaport, refers to as "kosher pork."

This money is barely enough to feed just 450 people a day, and twice as many require this service. But the company's resources are limited; most donations are small. Generous gifts, such as the Stefanskys', allow the company to feed the growing number of needy. After all, according to Rapaport, not a day goes by when he or his staff do not acquire a new 'client'.

"Recently, in our Brooklyn kitchen," says Rapaport, "A woman came in with extreme fatigue. When we fed her, she admitted that almost half of the time she was not able to eat hot food."

Masbia's relationship with the fish company is a longstanding one. Rapaport first asked for help from Samuel Stefansky, the owner of the company, three years ago. He laughed and said: "You're lucky; I'm in a good mood today. We'll help you."

"At that time we were struggling," recalls Rapaport, "And we could not help more than 100 people, so I can't tell you how delighted I was." However, a few hours later he learned that Stefansky had suffered a stroke. "I thought, Lord, I hope he is alright," remembers Rapaport, "And then I thought, oh God, we have not received the fish."

But a week later the fish arrived nonetheless, as the brothers of the owner of the company carried out his wishes. Stefansky himself at that moment was unconscious. And while he hovered between life and death, the kitchen received 700 servings of fish, enough for a week's work.

"I lay unconscious for nearly four weeks," Stefansky continues the story, "And when I came out, I realized what I should do." As soon as he was released from hospital, Stefansky transferred money into the account of the kitchen. Since then, he and his company regularly support Masbia, and through it those who so desperately need its help.