Hundreds Line Up For 'Cuban Christmas' Meals In Little Havana
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LITTLE HAVANA (CBSMiami) -- Well before the sun would rise Wednesday, a line of hundreds began wrapping around a Little Havana block.
Most waited in line for days.
Jerry Rojas, the first in line, started on Sunday. It's his first time ever waiting for the holiday meal the Latin Chamber of Commerce will give out.
"When I was told where the line starts I thought I'll just stand by the column," he said. "And I see others just piling up their chairs and I thought, let's see what happens then."
Hundreds of volunteers, including Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Gov. Rick Scott, help hand out the meals, marking the 31st year CAMACOL has held the event.
Back then, they handed out 500 holiday meals. Now, they give away 3,000 to people who started standing in line two weeks ago for a voucher.
"We're honored to help our city like that," said Robert Gutierrez with the Latin Chamber of Commerce. "And as you see, the people out in the line are people that need some help."
The giveaway includes everything for a Latin-style "Noche Buena" dinner, including a pork shoulder, rice, beans, yucca, bread, refreshments, spices, sugar, milk and other essential items. The entire package is worth nearly $400.
To the people here, it transforms their holiday.
"I'm gonna continue, as long as God gives me the help, to come over here and spend five days, 10 days," said Anita Alvarez. "Thank you very much for what they did for us and everything we have for the family and for the holiday."
