Commissaries: Stock Essentials Now

The Defense Commissary Agency kicked off an awareness campaign this month encouraging military families to keep nonperishable foods, water and other necessities on hand for emergencies. DeCA has teamed with the Armed Forces Emergency Services Branch of the American Red Cross to raise awareness of disaster preparedness throughout the military community. The “What’s in Your Closet?” campaign is intended to get military families thinking about how prepared they are for a disaster. Customers will see posters and handouts in stores, and reminder buttons on employees. With the June 1 start of hurricane season, military families in coastal areas at home and abroad need to be ready, said Patrick Nixon, who heads DeCA. The media has also heightened awareness of the possibility of a pandemic, an outbreak of infectious disease that has the potential to spread worldwide.