Food insecurity US: Thousands of poor and elderly wait in line for food in Miami under scorching sun

© CBS4

More than a thousand locals lined up Friday morning for several hours under the scorching sun and heat in Miami for a box full of food.

The event located at the Central Shopping Plaza at 3825 NW 7th Street started at 9:00 a.m.

Participants got a box of free vegetables, meats and bread worth $100 until 12:00 p.m. - or until supplies lasted.

Those who didn't want to stand in line could wait in their car for the drive-thru portion of the event.

Brittany Payne, a mother of three, stood in line for hours with her baby boy.

"It's something I have to do to feed my kids," said Payne.

Payne joined Miami residents lined up under the scorching sun and heat.

"It's a blessing because if it wasn't for them I couldn't eat today,

" said Payne.

Farm Share partnered up with Commissioner Francis Suarez for the massive food giveaway in a neighborhood in need.

"We are a city of tales; the 'haves' and 'have nots.' The city is growing tremendously but we also have a very poor city. The need is far greater than the supply that we have," said Suarez.

In the parking lot tents were set up and dozens of volunteers were on hand to help the residents fill their boxes with vegetables, chicken, juice and gift card to Winn-Dixie.

Many of those lined up were elderly. One man was so overcome by heat, he had to be treated and transported

.Others tried cooling themselves off with paper fans that were given out - some stood under the shade of their own umbrella.

For all the others who managed to tough it out, they said it's something they had to do

.

"Did you ever think you would be doing this," asked CBS4's Marybel Rodríguez to Julio Exposito who was waiting in line. "Not in my wildest dreams" said Exposito.

Damien Cabrera who was also standing in line, showed what he had received.

"So far I have vegetables, juices, chicken and a gift card," said Cabrera.

Those who were able to get food, will be taking it to a home where a box full of food makes a huge difference.

"If it wasn't for this would you have food in your refrigerator," asked Rodriguez.

"No, not right now," said Payne.

The distribution was on a first come first serve basis. By 11:15 a.m. the food had run out.

For those who were still in line Commissioner Suarez spoke with them promising another giveaway soon.

Watch the video

here

.