Long lines for help in South Florida show the need for a second relief bill is dire

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Florida – Ever since breaking her leg, Rosemary Vaz has been using crutches to stand in line for hours on Thursday outside Lauderdale Lakes Town Hall. She said she had been unemployed for months, so she really needed one of the 2,300 federally funded $ 250 food stamps the city handed out.

Vaz said she appreciated the government’s help. With the unfolding economic crisis, Vaz said she is not alone. Avoiding food insecurity, she said, has also been very difficult for some of her family and for some of the people she knows.

“These people, they really need them,” Vaz said.

Local officials say they need more help. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both said on Thursday they were preparing to pass a second relief bill. President Donald Trump has said he is ready to sign it. The first relief expires at the end of the year.

“About 13 million people could fall off a tax cliff and have nothing left by December 31,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton, referring to people across the country who could lose their benefits. unemployment at the end of the month. “It’s staggering in the US economy.”

The severity of the lingering hardships that families in South Florida have already faced despite the first federal relief program has been evident at all of Feeding South Florida’s food distribution events.

In Miramar, 2,000 to 3,000 drivers line up every Thursday. This week, the organizers had vegetables, pulses, fruits, eggs and milk. Volunteers said there were a lot of people out of work in South Florida.

“When we take a closer look at the data, we see that the unemployment rate is even higher for women and for Hispanic and black families,” said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, adding that the need is dire.

JOB SEARCH

Virtual forum highlights South Florida job opportunities

MIAMI – In an effort to help the unemployed during the coronavirus pandemic, the South Florida Anchor Alliance and the Health Foundation of South Florida have partnered with the Urban League of Broward and the Miami-Dade Beacon Council to host a forum virtual Thursday.

“We know that without access to good jobs, there is no health,” said Melida Akiti, vice president of the Health Foundation of South Florida.

Akiti added that the coronavirus pandemic has worsened economic inequalities in South Florida.

“Only by working together can we help those who need it most,” Akiti said. “This forum was an opportunity for us to share resources to support those looking for training and employment opportunities.”

The forum included Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Broward Mayor Steven Geller, Broward Commissioner Dale VC Holness, Rick Beasley, Career Source of South Florida, and Ron Moffett, Career Source Broward.

Representatives from Miami-Dade and Broward Public Schools, Miami Dade College, Broward College, Florida International University, Baptist Hospital and Broward Health were also in attendance.

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