Personalizing disaster kits for comfort and taste
Yesterday I told you about an individual on a forum that wants to know where the best food is in an emergency shelter. He was upset at the amount of pepper in the potato salad it seems.
At first reading I was ready to say “get real it is an emergency response situation” then I realized that pepper in the potato salad was important to this person because could symbolize his need for nurturing and comfort during an emergency evacuation.
I could not tell him specifically where to find the best dinners at the emergency shelters but here is my reply to him. I hope it helps to understand the differences in the types of responses that occurs in a disaster situation as well as the issues surrounding emergency shelter food.
Next blog will talk more about he reasons to select an emergency shelter close to home.
I can certainly appreciate your desire to know the menu especially if you have a very selective taste in foods and pepper in your potato salad is a bit offensive for you. There is a great diversity of taste and preparation even in the most simple of food items.
In disaster experiences and upsetting emotional events, people often look to food for comfort and a sense of stability. That is often why people will want to drink hot chocolate or milk supplied or base of a beverage like coffee with cream – it is nurturing for many individuals.
In a small local disasters such as a tornado, the menu is often much more reflect of a ‘home-cooking style’. This is most likely a group from the nearby local community with similar taste and cooking experience that are preparing it for a relatively small number of people ( say 150 +/-). Often the food is based on an experience of a community supper or church / faith center dinner event.
When one gets into mass evacuations and disaster response of larger numbers of individuals, the focus become very institutionalized and unfortunately often impersonal since vast amounts of cold sandwiches, and coffee have to be made and the ingredients are stretched to the maximum to serve the most people in need. In mass emergency situations, there is a possibility that the food needs to be as simple and easy to prepare as possible to meet the needs of the many.
Often emergency shelters have to deal with intermittent supply of power resources that influence the selection of foods that can be prepare and store locally. As a result there is less probability that the meals will be as personal as one would like.
When faced with the possibility of an emergency situation, as always it is best to be personally prepared for you individual taste and needs as much as possible – this includes comfort foods. I suggest you select some enjoyable foods you can take with you in your disaster kit for your personal enjoyment to an emergency shelter. This can help make your stay a bit more comfortable for you. Having a disaster preparedness plan that includes special treats can help a great deal when faced with a challenging situation of an emergency evacuation.
Should you have medical / dietary needs, you may want to contact the health department for information as how to address your physical nutrition needs in an emergency. If you have special medical needs it is vital that you make disaster plans and have your health care provider look them over to ensure you have addressed all your health concerns. Get your doctor or health care provider to write a note explaining exactly WHAT YOU NEED not what you want in the way of nutrition that will directly address your medical condition. Collaborating with the local health department and emergency management center is also important in such a situation.
As for a list of emergency shelters, check with your library and they most likely will have an emergency preparedness checklist that will include this information. Also check the local newspapers, fire department / rescue squads, community recreation and senior centers information boards for current emergency shelter information for emergency preparedness tips.
COMMENTS WELCOMED!
Please share your thoughts, emergency preparedness tips and stories here on this blog.
All I ask is that everyone be respectful and sensitive of each other and that identifying information about a person who is not the author be limited to protect their privacy.
Be Safe – Be Prepared – Help Others!
Terrie
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