MIAMI \u2014 The season of giving is here, and dozens of local organizations have come together ahead of the holidays to support families in need.<\/p>\n
The annual CAMACOL holiday food distribution kicked off Wednesday morning at loanDepot Park in Little Havana. <\/p>\n
Hundreds of residents lined up since Tuesday hoping to secure essential items for Nochebuena, including the coveted holiday pork, which has become increasingly expensive for many families.<\/p>\n
Local 10\u2019s Hannah Yechivi spoke with Juan Martinez, who works with the Miami Marlins and serves on CAMACOL\u2019s board of directors. <\/p>\n
Martinez emphasized the massive coordination behind the event and the importance of keeping its 40-year legacy alive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis doesn\u2019t happen overnight. A lot of planning, a lot of distributors, a lot of planning, an event that\u2019s over four decades in its legacy and happy for it to have its first year here at loanDepot Park at the home of the Marlins,\u201d Martinez said.<\/p>\n
He shared that securing donations this year was more challenging than usual, but the mission mattered too much to back down.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about keeping the tradition going, the legacy of this event, what it means for our community. A lot of us as kids either participated in it or volunteered in it and know what it means to our local community in Little Havana,\u201d Martinez added. \u201cTo be able to give back means the world to us and the partnership with all our vendors here has been fantastic in their level of cover.\u201d <\/p>\n
He said the hosting the event at loanDepot Park came naturally. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis location is born out of us doing our own thing \u2014 the Marlins having our own distros here throughout the year \u2014 teamed up with CAMACOL, offered it as an alternative spot and it\u2019s worked out great. It is weather protected, which is very important after the rains we had yesterday,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
For those hoping to join the line now, organizers say it\u2019s already too late.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this point we\u2019ve got the last cars designated already. They\u2019ve been in line since yesterday, so we have hit our 700 cap,\u201d Martinez said, noting that details for the 2026 distribution will be announced soon.<\/p>\n