Free Food Baskets Bring Hundreds To Little Havana
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Hundreds of people lined up in Little Havana to receive free food baskets just in time for the holidays.
More continued to line up every hour as 3,000 baskets were being given away by the Latin Chamber of Commerce also known as CAMACOL beginning at 7 a.m.
Each basket is enough to feed a family of 10, worth about $150 and include food and items for a traditional Latin "Noche Buena" or Christmas Eve.
CAMACOL has been handing out these Christmas gift baskets for 50 years.
And just like last year, Juanita Alvarez was one of the first in line. This is Alvarez's tenth year of participating in the food basket giveaway.
"It means a lot this way," said Alvarez. "The economy went down and now this will help us a lot. Not have to purchase a lot at the supermarket, this is good for my family on Christmas day."
Governor Rick Scott and his wife also came out.
"This is the time of giving. We all love to give, it's great that CAMACOL does this every year," said Gov. Scott.
But it wasn't easy. Hundreds lined up for days just to get the voucher required to receive the basket of food.
"I am going home to sleep. It has been eight days today," said Alvarez.
Though there was very little sleep, in the spirit of giving, many still found the energy to continue spreading the holiday cheer.
"I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heat," announced Alvarez.