PASCO COUNTY, Fla. -- More than 600 families were served at the 25th annual holiday food giveaway hosted by several Pasco officials along with the non-profit Farm Share.
- Some camped overnight in their cars ahead of giveaway
- Event started by Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano
- Publix gift cards are handed out when food runs out
- More Pasco Couty headlines
"We got here yesterday -- Thursday at 2:00," said Maude Howey of New Port Richey, whose car was one of the first in line ahead of Friday's event. "We sleep back in the truck."
Tax Collector Mike Fasano said while the mission to help those in need during the holidays hasn't changed since the first giveaway, there are some differences.
"We started 25 years ago when I was in the Florida House, back in 1995. It was a little bit of a disaster, and we learned from that. Over the years, we learned how to better organize," Fasano said.
Volunteers lined the drive in front of Faith Baptist Church to load different items at different stations -- fresh produce, canned goods, a ham. Fasano said food was donated by Farm Share and Dayspring Academy.
"We raise money all year long to purchase the potatoes, the candy canes. We give each family a ham," he said.
Fasano said he doesn't see the need change much from year to year. There's always a demand.
"I do it for my family. Just recently, we lost my husband -- three months ago. It's just me and my kids," said Pasco resident Paulette Dorner of why she came out to the giveaway. "It's like God's making a miracle for me."
"We'll have people who are a little bit shy, maybe a little bit embarrassed. Pride comes into play. We'll have people that are just overwhelmed, begin to cry," Fasano said of the response he sees each year.
Before this year's giveaway was even over, Fasano said preparations were already underway for next year. His office is working to raise money to be used for next year's event.