In the Wake Of the Storm a Warm Meal Can Mean Everything

I considered skipping today’s post entirely. With entire swaths of the East Coast under water, writing about food seemed so trivial. How could I wax poetic about the upsides of tofu or downsides of BPAs with so many dealing with the ravages of a hurricane?

But then I thought about those affected by the storm — families who’ve been without heat with which to cook a proper meal; folks who’ve had to flee their homes altogether, leaving the refuge of the family table behind.

It occurred to me then that food isn’t frivolous at all. What matters more than breaking bread with family and friends in times like this?

Now is when we need, we crave, the comfort of a warm meal thoughtfully prepared by someone who cares; an invitation to sit at someone’s table and be nourished by love and family dinner.

Being 3000 miles away from it all feels so removed. I wish I could deliver a pot of chili to my sister’s rain-soaked doorstep in New York City or bring a thermos of hot coffee and loaf of gingerbread to the mothers whose fragile newborns were evacuated from a hospital in the middle of the night.

Can you imagine?

Thankfully, plenty of good-hearted people are doing their part to get food, water, and other essentials to those who need it. The Red Cross appears to be at the forefront of such efforts.
They’re accepting donations via www.redcross.org or by texting the word, “donate” to 90999. There’s also Feeding America, a network of food banks that will provide food to shelters and elsewhere.

Maybe that’s my way to lend support, to feed those who have no electricity or no home, even if the pot of chili or thermos of coffee isn’t prepared with my own two hands.

Comments

10.31.2012 at5:49 AM #

Anne Mullen

We had already planned our “We’re Leaving Soon” party before we knew about Frankenstorm, so it was on Sunday night before Sandy blew in up here on Long Island on Monday, but in the spirit of your post, we served tortilla soup to the 20 intrepid souls who came. When the power went out, taking our water with it since we have our own well, we were thrilled to have leftover soup to give to some people, and have ourselves. Somehow, we got power back after only 24 hours, so we’re all set.

10.31.2012 at5:49 AM #

Katie Morford

Thanks for sharing that story Anne. I’m sure all were comforted by your soup. So glad to hear you are ok.

10.31.2012 at7:23 AM #

Pamela

Your thoughtfulness is inspiring~~thank you.And the photo says everything you write about!

10.31.2012 at8:40 PM #

Stacy @School-Bites.com

I agree, food is life! And being together. Hope your sister is OK..!?! I’m from the Jersey Shore and still have lots of family (parents, sister, aunts/uncles/cousins) and friends there. They are all safe, but the area is really banged up! And since they are without power and the temps are set to drop, I desperately wish I could bring them some warm chili.

10.31.2012 at8:40 PM #

Katie Morford

It’s hard to be so be so far away.

11.02.2012 at4:56 AM #

Sally

I’m a soup-maker. During the storm in the east, I was making a pot of soup and wished that I could share it with those who were going to need it.

Years ago, after some kind of similar tragedy, I heard or read that doing what you normally do isn’t disrespectful to those who are suffering and not doing it doesn’t honor or help them.

11.02.2012 at4:56 AM #

Katie Morford

Hi Sally

Thanks for sharing that bit of philosophy. It’s a good one.

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