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Holiday Meal Vouchers Handed Out In Little Havana

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LITTLE HAVANA (CBSMiami) – In what's become a tradition for some families, thousands of people patiently waitedin line for their voucher in the Latin American Chamber of Commerce's annual holiday food basket giveaway.

Some of the first in line actually staked out their position before Thanksgiving.

"We were the first five people that have been here in the line," said Juanita Alvarez. "We started November the 20th."

The pre-holiday tradition in Little Havana began 31 years ago.

"This is very important for me because this really helps, especially when you don't have a job and your short from here to there. But this is very good," said one woman who has been lining up for the food vouchers for the last 29 years.

She added that basket she'll receive will go a long way.

"It will allow me to pay some bills, now I have enough for the bills and enough for a little extra food," she said.

"The market is very, very expensive, my money is not enough," said a man waiting in line.

The chamber began handing out the vouchers at 8 a.m. Approximately 3,000 vouchers will be distributed this year.

Those who received the vouchers will come back on Wednesday, December 14th, to pick up the holiday food basket filled with a complete "Latin-styled" holiday dinner including rice, beans, yucca, bread, refreshments, a pork shoulder, spices, sugar, milk and other essential items. Each basket is worth about $250.

There's enough food in the basket for up to 10 people to enjoy a traditional "Noche Buena" meal.

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