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Hurricane Irma: Large crowds gather in Brevard, Osceola for food assistance

By WFTV Web Staff
By WFTV Web Staff
Brevard and Osceola county residents who lost food during Hurricane Irma lined up Tuesday to get food assistance.
In Osceola County, the assistance was given out at Heritage Park and those in Brevard County could apply at the Cocoa Expo Sports Center. 
Those who make slightly over the threshold for regular food stamps can qualify for similar benefits thanks to The Florida Disaster Food Assistance Program.  
Roughly 16,000 people have gone to the Cocoa Expo Sports Center since Saturday to get help.
“We have (deputies) on site helping us with traffic control and parking attendants to insure it’s as orderly as it can be,” said Kristi Gray with the Department of Children and Families.
DCF said it’s monitoring the situation and is prepared to make any changes if needed.
Cars lined up as far as State Road 520 and as people for inside, the average wait was about an hour.
“I had a lot of damage to my house, which cost a lot of money that I didn’t have, so having this extra help is huge for my family,” said Viera resident Jennifer Soper.
The single mother of three received about $1,200 worth of benefits.
“The line is super long, but it’s worth it because I know for the next two months I can feed my kids without any worry at all,” said Soper.
The amount someone receives depends on factors like income and total damage expenses.
Hundreds of people in Volusia County stood in line for hours over the weekend to receive the benefits.
Anyone who lives in one of the 48 counties with disaster declarations from Irma can apply for the benefits. 

Cox Media Group

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