Three Disaster Food assistance centers have opened in Palm Beach County, for those who lost groceries due to Hurricane Irma. Traffic was a mess all morning near the Delray Beach site at Lake Ida Park and the Lake Worth site at John Prince Park. Each location can process a maximum of 3,500 per day and Delray’s location got there within about an hour of opening. There were also reports of injuries. Applicants are urged to sign up online and then head to one of the centers on a day this week that coincides with their last names.
LAKE WORTH, Fla. (CBS12) — Large crowds gathered in the early morning darkness Tuesday as centers in Palm Beach County opened their doors for the Disaster Food Stamp Program.
While the actual opening wasn't scheduled to happen for several hours, people started gathering as early as 3 a.m. to take part in the program. Officials say they expect thousands of people will come to designated locations to sign up.
Some of the people in line told CBS12 they arrived at 6:30 p.m. Monday to reserve an early spot in the cue. Police say the real rush began at midnight, and they had properly staffed to handle the crowds. As of 6 a.m. Tuesday the crowds have been well behaved and following guidance from police.