Staff from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida (USAO-SDFL) served hundreds of locals this morning during a Farm Share Food Distribution at Gwen Cherry Park in Miami.
Staff was at it bright and early, setting up tents and tables to get food and pet supplies ready to distribute.
The line of cars stretched around the park’s main building long before 9 a.m. event kick-off. On today’s menu was whole chicken, milk, an assortment of bread, canned vegetables and pasta, as well as dog and cat food.
“I think it helps the community because we have food deserts throughout this district that we live in," said J.D. Smith, Chief of Law Enforcement Coordination and Community Outreach Section, USAO-SDFL. “People are disabled, they’re unemployed, they’re senior citizens on a fixed income and it’s important for them to have a resource to add to whatever budget they have for food each month."
Several people in line echoed this sentiment as they waited for their supplies.
“It helps me out a lot because it helps my social security check go a bit further," one said. “I try to be here every time they hold one of these … if I can get up early enough. Everyone you see in line has been here for several hours."
Another person waiting in line said, “These food drives are very important to me because I am disabled and on a fixed income."
Department of Justice staff members hold these drives four times per month by partnering with Farm Share, Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation, and Miami-Dade Police Department-South District.
Anyone interested in volunteering for these events may call (305) 961-9134 to speak with someone at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
