Vero News > All News > News > The Source drives to condo collapse site to feed first responders, families

The Source drives to condo collapse site to feed first responders, families

Written by: June 25 2021
facebook twitter pinterest linkedin
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE SOURCE

Three employees with a local Christian outreach ministry drove a food truck to Miami-Dade County early Friday to feed first responders working the aftermath of the condominium tower collapse that killed at least four people. The free meals are also for family members searching for missing relatives.

“We’re one of the few organizations providing hot meals,” said Anthony Zorbaugh, executive director for The Source, located in Vero Beach. “It’s an honor to represent our community and showcase what we can do to help others in need.”

The Source’s Assistant Director Maureen Archer, Head of Maintenance J.R. Gonzalez, and Culinary Chef Karlos Ayala left about 9 a.m. in the organization’s Dignity Food Truck, Zorbaugh said. The three traveled to Surfside, a beachside town with a population of about 6,000 people.

The trio set up the food truck two blocks away from Champlain Towers, Zorbaugh said. First responders, along with families searching for relatives, can get free hamburgers and hot dogs, chicken quesadillas, chicken and rice, and drinks.

More than 150 people remain missing after a building at Champlain Towers South in Surfside partially collapsed in the early morning hours on Thursday. First responders continue to search through the rubble of the 12-story building for any survivors.

President Joe Biden on Friday declared a state of emergency for Florida, which allowed federal assistance to be sent to state and local authorities. Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Miami-Dade County.

DeSantis visited Surfside on Friday and thanked first responders.

“Thank you to the first responders who have been working tirelessly to save lives in Surfside,” DeSantis said in a Twitter post. “Your selfless actions are bringing comfort in a time of pain for the south Florida community.”

Zorbaugh said The Dignity Food Truck will be in Surfside until it runs out of food. The Source employees plan to head back to Vero Beach Friday evening.

Zorbaugh said The Source also used the food truck to provide free meals during the aftermath of 2020 Hurricane Sally, which impacted Pensacola, Florida and Mobile, Alabama. The slow-moving, Category 2 hurricane left widespread wind damage, storm surge flooding and more than 20 inches of rainfall in the area.

Zorbaugh said The Source will send the food truck to Surfside again to feed first responders, but it was unclear when.

The Shul of Bal Harbour religious organization, based in Surfside, created a GoFundMe page Thursday to raise money for those impacted by the condo collapse. The page – called “Relief for residents of Surfside FL Condo Collapse” – garnered more than $100,000 in donations as of Friday afternoon.

Those who want to support The Source can visit the organization’s website.

Photos provided by The Source

facebook twitter pinterest linkedin
+100%-

Related Articles

Deputies ID man fatally struck by Brightline

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 25-year-old man who deputies said was wearing headphones when he was struck and killed by a Brightline train on Tuesday, was identified as Bryan De Paz Vazquez. The man lived in Indian River County, said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. "Witnesses said Vazquez was seen going underneath the lowered railroad arm and attempted to run across the tracks," sheriff's officials said in a statement. "There is no indication that this was a suicide and no foul play is suspected." The incident happened at 2:58 p.m. at the 12th Street Railroad crosswalk near the 1200 block of Old Dixie Highway, west of U.S. 1 and east of Old Dixie ...

Man struck, killed by Brightline train at 12th Street crossing

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 25-year-old man was killed after being struck by a Brightline train at the 12th Street Railroad crossing on Tuesday afternoon, sheriff's officials said. This is the third fatal crash involving Brightline and a pedestrian to occur this year in Indian River County. "The train was southbound and the (crossing) arms were down," said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the Indian River County Sheriff's Office. "According to the witness, all of the (crossing) arms and (flashing red) lights were activated and they could hear the train horn approaching." The most recent incident happened about 2:58 p.m. near the 1200 block of Old Dixie Highway, just west of U.S. 1. and east of Old Dixie Highway, ...

Huge backups on first day of bridge closure

The first two days of the week-long total closure of the 17th Street Bridge went about as expected – with long lines on the alternate route between the island and the mainland of Vero Beach, the Merrill P. Barber Bridge and its approaches. Motorists traveling between the island and the mainland found out that it took them about twice as long as normal to reach their destinations as all traffic that normally takes the 17th Street Bridge, about 20,000 vehicles per day and perhaps more in season – was detoured and rerouted to the Barber bridge. The Vero Beach Police Department warned motorists about delays and said it had officers out on Indian River Boulevard Tuesday to help direct the ...

Comments are closed.