And the deliveries were handled by scores of volunteers from the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Christian communities.Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

This is the season of giving and many people across metro Detroit spent Christmas Day giving back to others. It is especially surprising that one of the first federal agencies to come under scrutiny from the incoming administration is one that has returned billions of dollars to many of the same consumers who were counting on leaders in Washington to look out for their wallets.

Mitzvah Day brought Jewish officials and others to regional sites to replace those who typically serve on the holiday.