The distribution was organized by Florida City, Miami-Dade County, and the nonprofit Farm Share. About 20 volunteers loaded cars with turkeys and side dishes, but demand quickly overwhelmed the church parking lot.

"The line starts all the way from Sixth Avenue and goes down to David's Parkway, and it circles itself around the back of the church and into the parking lot," Mayor Charlotte Thompson said.

For many residents, the giveaway arrived as household budgets remain tight. Javier Ramirez, who waited in line, said inflation and fuel costs have made it harder to get by.

"We used to spend less on food," Ramirez said in Spanish. "What you earn doesn't go far enough anymore. Gas, all of that. Things are pretty tough financially."

His concerns echo broader economic trends. Federal data released this week showed nationwide grocery prices rose 0.4% from September to October.

Another recipient said her family struggles to cover utility bills even though multiple household members work daily.

"The electricity is so high, the water is so high," she said. "Everyone in my house tries to work every single day, and not always do you have the amount that you need to get paid your bills, but this helps us a lot."

For others, the food removed the worry of paying for a holiday meal.

"To be honest, it was going to be a struggle, but now we know that Thanksgiving is going to be great," one resident said.

Ramirez added that the groceries would give his household some much-needed flexibility in its budget.

Organizers are scheduled to host the next Monthly Drive-Thru Food Distribution on Dec. 4.