Miami Marlins team up with organizations to give away meals in time for Thanksgiving

By James On Nov 18, 2022

MIAMI (WSVN) – With Thanksgiving just days away, the Miami Marlins are stepping up to help some less fortunate families.

For many Miami residents this will now be a happy Thanksgiving.

On Friday, the Miami Marlins partnered with Feeding South Florida and Tito’s Vodka to distribute more than 1,000 meals.

There was an option to both drive and walk to pick up the meals.

The event started at 4 pm and hundreds of people had lined up hours in advance.

“We have to be grateful,” said Elsa Marina Cruz.

Cruz was the first person in line and arrived at the park at 6:30 a.m.

“I am very grateful to the Lord first and then to the people who put this together,” Cruz said.

She told 7News that she had made sure to wake up her friend in time to get her in line as well.

“Very good for me because I don’t have food,” said Regla González.

“If it’s not the pandemic, now it’s the economic crisis,” said Paco Vélez, Feeding South Florida. “The rent is going up, the cost of food has gone up. Supply hasn’t been able to meet demand, so families are really struggling with their minimum wage jobs and making decisions: do I keep a roof over my head, put gas in the car, or put food on the table? We are trying to eliminate that hypothetical decision to put food on the table by giving them that food.”

It wasn’t the only event that helped people in need just before the holidays.

Also in Miami, volunteers from the Greater Miami Jewish Federation packed groceries and loaded cars, helping bring Thanksgiving to people who need a little extra help.

“It’s just a great feeling to help each other. It’s just amazing,” said volunteer Sam Marcushamer.

Just down the street, Miami Dolphins defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah also worked a bit off the field, offering a little holiday help serving meals at the Jessie Trice Community Health Center.

“If I can get out on the field and do what I do, I can also come here to show them love, show them encouragement, you know, just encouragement from the people around me,” he said.

In Lauderdale Lakes, the city has partnered with Farm Share to give residents going through a difficult time a Thanksgiving they won’t soon forget.

“It’s good to get something; we weren’t sure if we were going to participate in Thanksgiving dinner,” Cuthah McLeod said.

People 7News spoke to said they were grateful to these South Florida communities trying to do their part during what has been a difficult time for many.

Thanks to the event, more than 1,000 South Florida families will enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving meal.