We dietitians take joy in communicating the results of ongoing research in the field of nutrition—the science of how substances in food interact with our health. But if you’ve ever lived through a major disaster, you know that food and water take on a much wider meaning during times of emergency.

As I watched the immense hurricane devastation of the past weeks, my mind took me back to the aftermath of a powerful flood that came through our community many years ago.

A sudden wall of water had wiped out major bridges and filled many of our friends’ homes with 4 or more feet of mud and debris. When the water subsided, we spent the next several days helping neighbors literally pile into large heaps what was left of their homes.

One memory will never leave me. After several hours of working with other volunteers to help our friends salvage the remains of their flooded home, we sat on a curb outside to rest. As our weary eyes surveyed the wiped out neighborhood, we heard the sound of a vehicle in the distance. Sure enough, around the corner came a white van headed our way.

The driver stopped in front of the house, jumped out and came over to where we sat. “Would you all like some sandwiches?” he asked.

To this day, I have never tasted food or drink more fulfilling than what was offered at that moment.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross, familiar foods during emergenices help lift morale and give us a feeling of security. So the provision of food, water and other basic needs during disasters goes a long way to nourish our souls as well as our bodies.

On the practical side, adults need at least 2 quarts of clean water a day for our bodies to function properly, says FEMA. And although we can get by on as few as half our regular intake of calories during and after emergencies, we still need at least one well-balanced meal a day.

So how can we help? If able, volunteer to prepare and/or deliver food and water supplies to those in need. Relief organizations such as those listed below can point you toward their most urgent areas. Monetary donations can also be made online, by mail or phone.

American Red Cross (www.redcross.org )

P.O. Box 37839 Boone, IA, 50037-0839

800-HELP NOW (800-435-7669)

Samaritan’s Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org )

P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC, 28607

(828-262-1980)

When our neighbors hurt, there’s much we can do to help. Along with comforting food, we can offer our time, resources and prayers. Let’s do what we can.

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