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Florida Panthers, JetBlue Arrange Free Food Truck Event Outside BB&T Center

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SUNRISE (CBSMiami) – South Floridians still working through the recovery efforts of Hurricane Irma can get some relief this week in the form of nourishment.

The Florida Panthers and JetBlue Airways brought a brigade of food trucks to the BB&T Center in Sunrise and offered free meals to anyone that comes by.

"The Florida Panthers are extremely proud to partner with JetBlue and happy to assist in handing out free meals to those in the community during these tough times," Panthers President Matt Caldwell said in a statement to CBS4.

"Were really pumped up for this event," he added.

Over a dozen food trucks offered both hot and cold food from some of the top local options.

JetBlue reached out to the Panthers earlier this week with the idea and they immediately began organizing the logistics.

They worked with local authorities, security, parking attendants and fire inspectors to put this all together as quickly as possible.

Approximately 50 employees from the Panthers and JetBlue were out volunteering at the event.

Panthers defenseman Mike Matheson joined the effort, jumping into a food truck to help distribute food.

"It's such a tight-knit community and it seems like when these sorts of things happen everyone really bonds and comes closer together," Matheson said. "The community does so much for us when we're here playing."

Lunchtime hours ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Dinner was offered from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Some of the trucks that will be there include Gallos Pintos, Cheezilla, 90 Miles to Go, Conch Shack and more.

The trucks will be parked near the main entrance to the arena, directly across from the Sawgrass Mills Mall, on Northwest 36th Avenue.

One ticket good for a meal and cold beverage was handed to every person who came to the event.

Late Wednesday, JetBlue announced that due to the success and response of the giveaway they will do the same thing on Thursday, September 14.

Also happening on Wednesday, Broward county and several local municipalities has opened four Water Points of Distribution sites.

The distribution is limited to one (1) case of water per vehicle.

For more information on the distribution, including where to go, click here.

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