The Ready Together: Emergency Kit Workshops combined emergency preparedness education with direct access to local resources. Each workshop began with a presentation from the Terrebonne Parish Emergency Response Coordinator, who discussed disaster preparedness, emergency planning, and the contents of a well-stocked emergency kit. Following the presentation, attendees built their own starter emergency kits and visited community organizations and agencies to learn about resources related to health, mental health, housing, and other services available before, during, and after an emergency.
Advanced Planning
The goal of the Ready Together: Emergency Kit Workshops was to help community members feel more prepared for hurricanes and other emergencies by providing preparedness education, local resources, and emergency kit supplies.
The library was awarded the 2026 Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant, and planning began as soon as the funding was awarded. The Terrebonne Parish Library partnered with the Louisiana Department of Health's Office of Public Health and Emergency Preparedness, the Terrebonne Parish Emergency Response Coordinator, and local community organizations to coordinate presentations, vendors, supplies, and outreach.
The only unexpected challenge was attendance exceeding the available seating at one workshop location. To accommodate everyone, we divided attendees into smaller groups and offered the presentation twice.
Marketing
The workshops were promoted several weeks in advance through flyers, social media, the library newsletter, community outreach events, community centers, and partner organizations. We also worked with local agencies and community leaders to help spread the word. These efforts were successful, resulting in strong attendance at all three workshops and positive feedback from participants.
Budgeting
The $2,000 from the award was used to purchase emergency kit supplies for participants, including flashlights, first-aid kits, emergency ponchos, hygiene items, reusable water bottles, whistles, and other preparedness materials.
For organizations looking to reduce costs, partnering with local agencies and emergency preparedness organizations can help secure donated materials, educational resources, or presenters. Purchasing supplies in bulk and focusing on a smaller number of essential emergency kit items can also help stretch funding.
Day-of-event Activity
The library needed 3-4 staff members at each location to assist with setting up vendor tables, arranging seating, and preparing registration materials. Our partner organizations also arrived early to set up their information tables and display the presentation in the meeting rooms.
Program Execution
Each workshop began with an emergency preparedness presentation led by the Terrebonne Parish Emergency Response Coordinator in the library meeting room. Participants then assembled their starter emergency kits and had time to connect with community organizations and explore local resources.
Across all three workshops, approximately 180 community members participated. Feedback was very positive, with attendees expressing appreciation for both the preparedness information and obtaining the supplies to create their emergency kits. Overall, the program met its goal of helping residents feel more informed and better prepared for hurricanes and other emergencies.
Advice
Maintain a simple, hands-on format. A brief presentation followed by an interactive activity, such as assembling a starter emergency kit, allows participants to immediately apply what they’ve learned, improving understanding and increasing involvement.
Supporting Materials
More Programs
Community Pantry
Audiences:
Farm-2-Library
Audiences:
