DETROIT — Community organizations in 19 cities across the country last Saturday worked to gather and help thousands of homeless and needy individuals for Humanitarian Day, an annual event organized by Islamic Relief, a California-based nonprofit.

Detroit’s event was held at Cass Park, where about 2,000 people were served in a line offering clothing, food, hygiene items, toys and health screenings, according to Detroit organizer Lamiya Wade. Another 1,000 items or packages were also delivered to various shelters.

Wade, who has participated in the event the last three years, became lead organizer this year after the previous coordinator expanded the event to Kalamazoo.

“I inherited the Detroit effort,” Wade said.

She underwent training in California before putting together the effort that included about 200 volunteers from a number of area student groups and other organizations.

She said this year’s turnout was higher than ever, but was unsure if the reason was better coordination and outreach, or warmer weather as a result of an early Ramadan.

Humanitarian Day is held in observance of the month-long Islamic fasting period. Many of the volunteers fast while they serve.

Islamic Relief has locations in 37 countries worldwide, with widespread projects related to education, water and sanitation, income generation, orphan support, health and nutrition and emergency relief.

Last weekend’s efforts took place in Baltimore, Baton Rouge, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Elizabeth-NJ, Fort Thompson-SD, Houston, Kalamazoo-MI, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, and Washington D.C., in addition to Detroit.