MIAMI (WSVN) - Dozens of families in need are grateful to an organization that organized a holiday giveaway that will put food on their table for the holidays.
On Tuesday, South Florida families began to wait in a line of cars for an annual food giveaway from the Latin Chamber of Commerce (CAMACOL), the largest Hispanic business organization in Florida.
The company’s Jabas holiday gift basket tradition began Wednesday at 7 a.m., at their building located at 1401 W. Flagler St.
Juanita Alvarez and her friend were the first people in line for the holiday tradition.
“This is my 16th year,” said Alvarez. “This year is better than the years before.”
This year, CAMACOL is expected to give away 700 baskets, which is about 200 more than the amount in 2021.
The baskets contain food that feeds five to seven people for the upcoming holiday.
The drive-thru event was a first-come, first-served basis.
The need was evident by the overwhelming turnout.
“People have been waiting all night long to be able to receive these gifts of the holiday season,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava.
“Huge, huge population that they are very hard workers and their salaries are not what they should be,” said Commissioner Manolo Reyes, “and we also have retirees, senior citizens that are on a fixed income. They are the most affected by this inflation we’re experiencing now.”
Sponsors like Sedano’s and Publix were at the event to distribute food and ingredients to assemble recipes for the holiday season.
Pedro Mesa with Sedano’s was glad the supermarket was able to serve hundreds in the community despite the challenging times.
“There’s a lot of smaller companies that are not here that couldn’t make it,” said Mesa. “They’re barely surviving, so it’s been very hard. That’s why we’re doing 700 bags this year. We are up from last year but not nearly to the number that we know is needed in the city. It’s been tough, but those bags that we’re giving out today, they’re full with everything you might need for a nice night of Noche Buena.”
With the weather as perfect as it can be, smiling faces left the drive-thru with appreciative hearts.
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