MIRAMAR, Fla. – A team effort is underway in Miramar and Pembroke Park to get food to those who need it most.
Layoffs due to the coronavirus mean many South Floridians won't be able to provide meals for their families.
Hunger relief organization Feeding South Florida provided all the food that was distributed Saturday, which included chicken, eggs, arugula, broccoli and apples in Miramar and chicken, asparagus and blueberries in Pembroke Park.
The event at the Miramar Multi-Purpose Complex was supposed to start at 9 a.m. but it started early, as cars began lining up around 4 a.m., causing a traffic backup in the area.
Two city commissioners, Yvette Colbourne and Maxwell Chambers, brought the volunteers who are putting the food into the back of people’s cars.
The commissioners got involved because so many residents were calling their office saying they’re out of work and having difficulty getting the items they need amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We think that is something that’s needed in the community now," said Colbourne. "Many people have been laid off and are either facing hard time or feel that hard times are coming up and we want to be here to support those families.”
A similar event last week fed around 500 families but that number is expected to reach 1,000 on Saturday.
Mariette Ferguson was the first in line at Oglesby Preserve Park on southwest 52nd Avenue in Pembroke Park.
She showed up at 5 a.m. even though the food distribution didn’t start till 11 a.m.
“That’s exactly what I need, some free food," said Ferguson. “Because I’m not working.”
Volunteers expected to hand out around 1,500 meals in Pembroke Park.