Many of our residents do not have access to a vehicle and in March 2020, there were little to no food distributions within the Little Havana boundaries. While doing Census-related outreach, residents continuously expressed their need for food-related resources and unemployment status to our Community Liaisons.

We were quick to work with our existing funders and partners in addressing this critical need that emerged due to COVID-19. Healthy Little Havana engaged Little Havana’s NET Office and Commissioner Carrollo on a daily basis to provide updates and brainstorm solutions for Little Havana’s most vulnerable. On May 5, 2020 after advocating for those without vehicles and experiencing food insecurity, County Commissioner Higgins supported legislation allowing for walk-up food distributions and testing sites.

Through our partnership with FarmShare, Adopt-a-Box, and Brickell Kidz Bus as well as our collaboration with City of Miami and Commissioner Carollo, Healthy Little Havana has assisted in the distribution of over 40,000 meals and reached over 20,000 residents - the majority of which do not have access to a vehicle and relied on public transportation. In December of 2020 Healthy Little Havana also assisted in completing the application for the City of Miami grocery gift card program for over 280 low-income Little Havana residents.