Thousands of people waited in long lines for hours Saturday outside of Camping World Stadium as they waited to register for food assistance following Hurricane Irma.
- Long lines around Camping World Stadium on Saturday
- Police assisted DCF with lines and crowded streets
- Food assistance event runs until Wednesday
Roads were shut down and lines wrapped around Camping World Stadium Saturday afternoon while people waited for food assistance from Florida Department of Children and Families.
"I've been here since 7 a.m., we've been here for the past five or six hours. We are trying to be patient, the line is moving a little, but we are getting pretty exhausted," Natty Bounchareune said as she waited in line.
Due to the massive amount of people around the stadium, it did become a safety concern with Orlando Police on scene assisting DCF with the lines and crowded streets.
"If you plan on coming down today I would say to hold off and possibly hold off until (Sunday) or the coming days because you might not be able to get in today," DCF Public Information Officer David Ocasio said.
The Camping World Stadium location was to close at 6 p.m. and Saturday, and for those who waited in line all day they hope they won’t have to return Sunday.
"That would be pretty bad. I know it's the weekend so it’s understandable with the long lines, but there are a lot of us with small kids out here," Bounchareune said.
Eligibility for food assistance is based on household size and income.
This food assistance event runs until Wednesday, so residents will have the next few days to register if they haven't already.