...and everything is gone. Various folks in our area are doing different things to assist. I'm gonna start up an effort to re-stock their kitchen with necessities.

Two questions: 1.) What items would be on your top-twenty list of necessites? and 2.) If you were running from your burning home and presumably all your family and pets were safely outside- what items would would you grab? Anything at all from the kitchen?

I don't know if I'd grab anything when running from a fire, Kev. But when it comes to restocking, the most important items, IMO, are a couple of good knives, a large skillet, and a 1 1/2 quart pot.

In terms of top 25, I would think more in types of things than actual products:

1. Dishes. At least service for four, depending on how many they are. You didn't say.

2. Flatware, ditto.

3. Glassware, ditto

4. This would be an exception to my "don't buy kits" rule of thumb. They have nothing, so a fairly large set of cookware---maybe 11 pieces---might make sense. Stainless for the set. Plus a cast iron (coated or not) skillet and casserole. Then fill in around the set. Few sets, for instance, contain a pasta pot with inserts, so that would be on my list. Ovenware, too, such as roasting pans, cookie sheets (I'd go with alumisteel half sheets rather than non-stick), baking dishes, casseroles, etc.

5. In situations like this, we all tend to think of the big stuff. But don't forget the myriad of small kitchen gadgets we take for granted: can openers, and pancake flippers, and stirring spoons, and spatulas. Corkscrews, and whisks, and an ice cream scoop. Etc.

6. Small appliances. The choices here depend so much on their cooking approach and lifestyle. But a toaster, for sure. A hand mixer. Food processor. Microwave oven. Coffee maker. Blender. Do they need a stand mixer? A panini press? A waffle iron? The list here is endless.

7. Are they drinking folk? If so, there's all that barware to consider.

8. Cookbooks. Whatever she had burned up. So a basic library would be a good addition to the mix.

Whatever else, I would include at least one fancy tablecloth with runner and matching napkins. Something that serves no purpose but to makes her feel good. If she doesn't wet it down with tears, you've picked the wrong one.

Keep in mind, too, that after a disaster the sense of loss and desolation hits women harder than men. So she needs more than things. She needs flowers. And somebody to rub her feet.

All fantastic hints, Brook- especially the last two paragraphs!

My list of 20 items comes from a plan to seek donations of smaller items from individuals and larger items from families, churches and businesses.

And don't forget - a nice collection of spices (which can be pricy - especially when you need so much), some basic staples, dish soap, scrouring pads, and such.

If she is a cook - definitely a mixer (stand or hand depending on your budget), at least a small food processor and or coffee grinder for grinding spices, you can find waffle irons that are reversible to also function as a grill, a good sized colander and a few little ones, spice jars with labels if she makes her own, and toaster oven usually doubles as a broiler, etc. You also have to take into consideration the size of her new kitchen and the amount of cupboard space she will have, if there is a pantry, etc.

Plenty of kitchen towels, potholders - linens are always needed.

And a good wooden spoon - I'd be lost without one! LOL

When it happened to a friend of mine - and knowing that I like to pick out my own things for my kitchen - we also gave a gift certificate for her to pick out her own fine china, etc.

And don't forget a dish drain, paper towel holder, a big pack of paper towels will also come in handy - and so will aluminum foil, waxed paper, plastic wrap, etc.