More than a month after Hurricane Irma tore through Tampa Bay, countless Floridians are still dealing with her aftermath. In Polk County, thousands of people lined up for disaster food assistance on Saturday.
- Food for Florida center opened in Lakeland Saturday
- Thousand of people lined up; police cut the lines
- Applicants had to have been impacted by Irma
The lines were so long, Lakeland Police had to stop allowing people to come through until the crowds calmed down.
"Winds blowing hard, my porch came out. It was very scary, one of the scariest ones in Florida and I've been here about 17 years," Polk County resident Michelle Mendez said.
The USDA and Department of Children and Families have teamed up for the “Food for Florida Disaster Food Assistance Program.” It allows anyone who lives in a county that has been declared a disaster area by FEMA to apply for food assistance.
Applicants will have to bring identification and proof that families have suffered loss of income, work or had any other disaster-related expenses.
Residents waited for hours to receive the help but said the long lines were worth it.
"We need the food, everybody needs the food and if they're going to give us something, we're going to appreciate it and stand here and wait," Polk County resident Ramona Carroll said.
"It'll help us tremendously to get us back on our feet because we spent so much money before preparing for the storm," Mendez said.
The program is being held at the RP Funding center on W. Lime Street in Lakeland through Oct. 18. For more information, head to the DCF website. Additional events will be held throughout the state through the end of the month.
As you’re applying for federal assistance, FEMA officials do want to warn residents about possible fraud.
If an applicant would like to report any sort of suspicious activity, contact the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585.