Hungry Americans get free food in Florida: ‘People are suffering’

Every Saturday morning, hundreds of drivers line up in the parking lot of the Boynton Beach Mall in Florida, eager to buy food.

“These are everyday people. They have jobs,” Charles Bender told Fox News Digital. “They just don’t go through.”

Bender is the founding CEO of Place of Hope, a faith-based organization that provides programs and services children and families In five Florida counties.

FOOD BOOKS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN FOOD IN AMERICA AS HUNGER NUMBERS RISE

“On Saturday of every month, we provide food and services to families in need food supply – and that’s quite a number,” Bender said. “So we’re there every Saturday and we’re just trying to meet their needs.”

The initiative started earlier this year. After about three months, Bender said, Land of Hope has served more than a million pounds from eating.

Cars drive through the Food for Hope food distribution line in the parking lot of the Boynton Beach Mall in Florida. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

During December, this number exceeded 2 million.

Place of Hope volunteers meet for several hours every Saturday morning to provide essential supplies to those waiting in line. food and drink – all free.

“There’s no pre-screening,” Bender said. “These are just people in need … and volunteers are there to load their cars with donated goods.”

FOOD IS IN TAKEAWAY AS NHL TEAM HELPS FEED HUNGRY RESIDENTS THROUGH SHELTERING ARMS

Bender said donated items come from area businesses, grocery stores like Publix and Trader Joe’s and even the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We are talking solid, nutritious food for families — produce and meat and chicken and all kinds of different things, some canned goods,” he said.

Volunteers sort food bags before the event begins. People line up in their cars to buy a full meal, including produce and meat. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

On a Saturday in late September, volunteers were sorting donated items from refrigerated trucks and bins.

Among the donated food and drinks are cucumbers, pumpkins, potatoes, meat, bread, cheese, milk and juice. There was even a children’s meal.

Before the line opened, the volunteers gathered around a pastor who led them in prayer. Then it was time to go to work.

Before the line opens, a pastor prays for the volunteers. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

Volunteers work assembly-line style, filling each open trunk with breakfast, lunch and dinner, water and water. soft drinksas vehicles slowly proceed along each designated stop.

It takes about two and a half minutes from start to finish.

BREAKFAST BAGELS CAN BE MADE HEALTHIER BY CHOOSING THESE NUTS AND SPREADS

Vehicles often line up before sunrise – hours before distribution begins – just to secure a spot.

A volunteer loads some cheese into the trunk of a car waiting in line. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

“People are suffering,” Bender said.

“Who wants to wait in line for food on Saturday? But if you have to, you will.”

Sausages and sausages sit on the table ready to be loaded into the trunks of cars. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

The first driver to cross the line on Saturday identified himself as Mike, declining to give his last name.

He told Fox News Digital that he has a disability and is grateful to Place of Hope for reaching out.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

“I thank God they do,” he said. “What they’re doing is a good thing. It really helps a lot.”

A man who was first in line for one of the food drives told Fox News Digital he was grateful for the help. (Peter Burke/Fox News Digital)

Great grandfather called it a “blessing”.

A place of hope is not just about feeding families on Saturdays.

The organization also provides meals during the week for foster families in the area.

For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

“It’s good people coming together to fill a need,” Bender said.

This need is most noticeable on Saturday mornings in a sparse shopping center parking lot.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“These are everyday people from all walks of life (who) just need a little extra help because four years ago it didn’t seem like that,” Bender said.

“It didn’t feel like it.”