Food cards to be offered again

Starting today, throngs of people again are expected to form lines to collect special cards reimbursing them for their losses during Hurricane Irma.

The events will be presented at the BB&T Center in Sunrise and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, two large sporting venues, after crowds overwhelmed county parks last month. The venues will be sign-up locations for people wanting to participate in Food for Florida relief efforts.

The events each will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Wednesday and Thursday, but participants are urged to show up on certain days, depending on which letter their last name begins with:

Those whose last name begins with letters A through F should show up Tuesday. On Wednesday, letters G through P. On Thursday, letters Q through Z. However, aid won’t be denied if someone shows up on a day different from the one recommended, state officials said.

Those who qualify receive cards with anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $1,000 that can be used to buy food. The payments depend on family size, storm loss and income. The program is a joint effort of state and federal governments to help those who had damage and income loss during Hurricane Irma but don’t normally get food stamps.

Officials with the Florida Department of Children and Families encourage people to register online — at dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/fff/ — in advance of the sign-up events to expedite service.

The applicants must live in one of the dozens of counties designated for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s individual assistance to be eligible.

If you go to the BB&T Center location, be prepared: The temperature inside will be cool because that’s where Florida Panthers hockey games are held.

At the request of the Sunrise Police Department, bags or personal items larger than 12-by-12 inches, backpacks, coolers and chairs are not permitted, DCF officials said.

Hard Rock Stadium, where the Miami Dolphins play, will maintain its policy of only allowing clear bags to be taken inside the venue, officials said.

The BB&T Center will have golf cart drivers near parking for those special needs placards to offer transportation for those with disabilities.