Residents Line Up For Free Food Distribution At Tamiami Park

MIAMI (CBS4)-Families in need this holiday season lined up hours before to get the much-needed help with food packages Saturday.

Free produce were handed out at Tamiami Park located at 11201 SW 24 Street in Miami beginning at 10 a.m., but earlier in the morning residents began lining up.

Several times a year, Chairman Joe A. Martinez partners with Farm Share for distribution of food packages to residents in the county. Goods in the food packages include vegetables, canned foods, juices and more.

Farm Share is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger and malnutrition in the U.S. by recovering fresh and nutritious foods and distributing it to those who need it most.

"During these tough economic times, it will be a relief for families to benefit from these nutritious food packages without having to buy them," said Martinez. "It is because of organizations like Farm Share and our community volunteers that we are able to assist the elderly and limited income households."

Several county departments are also in attendance at the event, including Miami-Dade County Water & Sewer Department, Miami-Dade County Health Department, Miami-Dade Parks Department and Miami-Dade Department of Sustainability, Planning and Economic Enhancement.

The departments are expected to provide information on their services, including free health screenings.

Residents can also bring up to three used light bulbs per home to exchange for energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) and up to two used shower heads to exchange for low consumption models.

The event concludes at 1 p.m.