MIAMI ā With Thanksgiving around the corner, South Florida is doing what South Florida always does and helping to feed those in need.
But even more so now this year, giving out meals ahead of the holidays as we all collectively count our blessings at the end of what has been a long and difficult year.
77-year-old Pablo Loffredo was one of many people lined up in Hialeah Monday morning for their turkey giveaway; some by car, some on foot.
āThis is for my family, for my daughter,ā Loffredo said. āI live over there in that building and itās been very difficult.ā
MORE: Where are giveaways for turkeys, Thanksgiving food?
The difficultly has been felt across the board, and local elected officials have been active in trying to help struggling families.
āThere has been no year like this year,ā said Hialeah mayor Carlos Hernandez. āThe need has been incredible. Many people have still not gone back to work.ā
Over in Miami Gardens, a turkey giveaway at the Betty T Ferguson Recreation Complex was met by smiles of grateful South Floridians.
āItās hard,ā said Robert Stephens with the City of Miami Gardens. āItās rough right now, and this will give you some kind of relief so you donāt have to worry about where your next meal will come from.ā
In Miami, Alonzo Mourning was on hand for his Thanksgiving gobbler giveaway.
Music was going and bells were ringing as the former NBA superstar and his wife Tracy, along with several volunteers, handed out holiday meals to grateful families.
āIf we can put a smile on their face today and provide a little relief for them during the holidays, itās truly a blessing and weāve done our job, but we canāt stop,ā said Mourning. āWe have to keep putting in the work.ā