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In the unfortunate dance of fate, the grocery store and its edible treasures suffer when a power outage strikes. From delectable ice cream to tantalising frozen delights, all of it ends up in the bin.

Anyone who ventured into Piggly Wiggly in Watertown recently would have noticed gaps in the dairy section and nearly bare meat shelves. The industrious staff’s day was devoted to discarding perfectly fine food, followed by a mad rush to restock the shelves.

The blackout struck on a stormy Tuesday night, and electricity didn’t return until the following day at 5 p.m. What once glistened freshly in the aisles now languished in the back, awaiting disposal.

Piggly Wiggly wasn’t the sole victim – a snapshot depicted a skip outside Target brimming with discarded food. Grocers fretted over rising temperatures, while those without electricity worried about keeping warm. Some sought solace at a Red Cross warming shelter at Jefferson Community College.

One such person, Rebecca Gould, found herself at the shelter after the Salvation Army’s overnight shelter lost power. “We actually didn’t know what we were going to do, and then last minute they said, ‘Hey, we’re going over here.’ Pretty grateful that they are here,” she said.

Fortunately, the Red Cross had food, showers, and toiletries on offer for shelter seekers. People didn’t just come for a place to sleep, but also for a warm meal, demonstrating the remarkable community spirit during this trying time.

As power was gradually restored, the emergency shelter finally closed its doors on Thursday at 5 p.m. It’s truly saddening to see so much perfectly edible food go to waste, yet heartening to witness the community band together in support during adversity.

So, the next time you peruse the grocery store aisles and gather your cherished items, spare a thought for the arduous challenges faced behind the scenes, particularly during sorrows such as unexpected power outages.