ORLANDO, Fla.,None — The Orlando Union Rescue Mission is hosting its annual Independence Day cook-off on Friday, and the group said they are legally serving meals to the homeless.
The Mission said they expect to feed nearly 800 of Orlando's homeless on Friday.
"We're always excited because we get to serve guests right off the street. Show them that they're loved and they're cared for," said Amanda Fewless, director of development for the Orlando Union Rescue Mission.
The cook-off consists of hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, all donated by local churches. The meals are prepared and served by 90 volunteers.
"It just helps out and gives us a good feeling of community around here," said Dolores Smith, who attended the cook-off.
The cookout at the Mission's building comes at a time when homeless feedings are drawing a great deal of negative attention. The group Food Not Bombs has had volunteers arrested by Orlando police in the last few weeks for illegally feeding the homeless at Lake Eola.
Everything at the Mission is completely legal, and they're serving 300,000 meals a year.
"We're still going strong, still serving meals legally in our community. 800 people just today," said Fewless.
There are a number of public officials and police officers volunteering at the feeding on Friday, and they expect the event to last until 2:30pm.