Loaves & Fishes Centers deliver emergency rations in east Portland
Began in May, volunteers for Loaves & Fishes Centers have delivered emergency food and water rations to homebound seniors in east Portland as part of the plan to deliver the same for all metro area homebound seniors to use in the event of a natural disaster.
Seniors who regularly receive Meals-On-Wheels were provided with two gallon-size water jugs, an emergency meal bar (a 2,400-calorie bar), an emergency planning pamphlet and a personal information card to record important contact and medication information. Volunteers delivered the supplies and helped seniors understand the importance of personal preparation.
Loaves & Fishes Centers has been working closely with Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties to develop an emergency response plan in the event of a natural disaster.
Frail, homebound seniors are one of the most vulnerable population groups and depend on daily delivery of hot meals. During a natural disaster, such as a major earthquake, there is a strong possibility that regular meal delivery service would not be possible.
Emergency rations can be used over 48 hours until regular meal delivery can be re-established. All county and city planning organizations are recommending preparing a 72-hour kit for use in an emergency.
“Our vision is that no senior will go hungry or experience social isolation,” said Joan Smith, executive director of Loaves & Fishes Centers. “We want to ensure that our seniors will have basic food and water in the event of a natural disaster that will prevent our regular volunteers from reaching them. We also want to encourage those who can to put together their own home emergency kit.”
Since 1970 Loaves & Fishes Centers has provided a nutritional and social lifeline for seniors through 35 meal sites in Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties and Meals-On-Wheels delivery to homebound seniors.
With the help of more than 7,500 volunteers, the nonprofit, secular agency now serves 5,000 meals daily and more than 1.3 million meals each year. Loaves & Fishes Centers was named one of the “Ten Most Admired Companies” in the non-profit category in Oregon by The Portland Business Journal in 2006.
