CAMACOL continues annual tradition of food basket giveway for the holidays
MIAMI - Hundreds of South Florida families will enjoy a nice holiday meal thanks to a long-standing Miami tradition.
On Wednesday, cars lined up before dawn on NW 14th Avenue in Little Havana for the Latin Chamber of Commerce's Jabas holiday food basket giveaway at the CAMACOL tower on Flagler Street.
It's an annual tradition now in its 38th year.
Ever since the pandemic the number of grocery bags to be distributed has dropped. Whereas the number used to be in the thousands, it's now just several hundred. This year they are giving out 700 bags, a little less than before the pandemic. The director of the event said rising costs have been tough for everyone and so while they didn't increase the number of bags, they increased the items in the bag.
"This year we have more families that are in need and we understand that and we work harder to make the bundle bigger," said Pedro Mesa with Sedano's Supermarkets, one of the event sponsors.
"It's hard for everybody, the companies that are helping. It's hard for them, we had to get more companies to bring in more products because everybody is suffering, not only the smaller companies but the big companies," he added.
The distribution got underway at 8 a.m. To kick things off, there was a ribbon cutting to honor Mario O. Gutierrez, past President of CAMACOL and PepsiCo executive. It was Mario's vision that prompted him to start this food drive nearly 40 years ago with only 20 baskets. Thanks to his commitment to the community, it grew in scope. Before the pandemic it was the largest food basket giveaway in Florida, serving over 15,000 families.
The food bags handed out contain enough food, including pork, rice, side dishes, and drinks, for a family of six to enjoy a nice Noche Buena meal.
"For us to have the Jaba, like they say, the Christmas basket for Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, so we enjoy all those items they give us and (what) they do for us, it really helps," said Juanita Alvarez.
"It's a big help and thank you for these people. I love what they give, they give soda, they give everything," said Nelson Rivas.
Sponsors of the event also included Publix, Presidente Supermarkets, Pepsico, and Goya Foods of Florida.