The Dept. of Children and Families has been hosting disaster food assistance centers across Florida over the last couple of weeks. Two open in the Orlando area Saturday.

The Food for Florida assistance center in Orlando opens at 7 a.m. Saturday at Camping World Stadium. The center in Casselberry opens at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Orlando Live Events venue, which is the former Jai-Alai Fronton.

Food for Florida, also known as D-SNAP, provides food stamps for people who need assistance after Hurricane Irma. It is not for people who currently receive food stamps.

To qualify, applicants must:

  • Live in a designated disaster county
  • Have food loss, damage to home or self-employment property, a delay, reduction, or loss of income due to the disaster, or have disaster-related expense
  • Have available assets and income less than the limits required for this program
  • Complete a Food For Florida application
  • Provide proof of identity

Thousands of Floridians have applied for help through Food for Florida since Hurricane Irma hit. People who go should be prepared for very long lines as they wait to get into the center. 

We were there last week when the Polk County center opened. At one point Lakeland police had to stop allowing people into the center until the crowds calmed down.

To apply, DCF strongly encourages applicants to visit the Food for Florida website, find the county event you wish to attend and apply before going to the center.

Then, be sure to show up on the day that corresponds to the first letter of your last name.

Orlando and Casselberry centers will both be open between Oct. 21 and Oct. 25. Here is how the schedule breaks down:

  • 10/21 – A - F
  • 10/22 – G - J
  • 10/23 – K - O
  • 10/24 – P - Z
  • 10/25 – Make-up Day

Meanwhile, people driving around Camping World Stadium, including along I-4, State Road 408, Orange Blossom Trail, State Road 50 and John Young Parkway, should expect heavier than normal traffic over the next few days. 

Folks driving around US 17/92 and State Road 436 in Casselberry should also expect traffic congestion by Orlando Live Events over the next few days.