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.”
Thank you to the first responders who have been working tirelessly to save lives in Surfside. Your selfless actions are bringing comfort in a time of pain for the South Florida community. pic.twitter.com/78UUKEh3lq
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 25, 2021
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
