The assembly centers had been organized in order to feed the evacuees in large mess halls. "At Santa Anita, for example, one evacuee recalls three large mess halls where meals were served in three shifts of 2,000 each" (Commission on Wartime Evacuation and Internment of Civilians 1997: 141). Another evacuee recalls the following experience:
We stood in line with a tin cup and plate to be fed. I can still vividly recall my 85-year-old grandmother gravely standing in line with her tin cup and plate (quoted in Commission on Wartime Evacuation and Internment of Civilians 1997: 141). The mess halls further weakened family ties. At first families tried to eat together, but after a while children began to eat with their friends. The food served was also little to be desired. The WCCA allowed an average of 39 cents per person per day. Despite the small cost of food the Red Cross reported that "given the inherent limitations of mass feeding, menus 'showed no serious shortage in nutritive values,' although several evacuees testified that food was a problem" (Commission on Wartime Evacuation and Internment of Civilians 1997: 142).
There was further trouble with the sanitation at the assembly centers. Since the plumbing at the assembly centers was temporary there were many problems with sewage disposal as well as shower, toilet, and laundry facilities. One problem with lavatories was that many were located as far as 100 yards away. It was difficult for both children and elderly to travel such far distances. These problems only added to the inconveniences of the evacuees.
Tight security at the assembly centers further added to evacuees's uncertainties. Two separate groups were responsible for the security of the assembly centers. Military police armed with machine guns patrolled the perimeters and monitored both entrances and exits. The internal police were responsible for the security inside of the centers. Inspections were also a common practice in the assembly centers. The inspections were designed to seize contraband such as flashlights, shortwave radios, hot plates, weapons, and alcohol. During once such inspection at Santa Anita a riot broke out among the evacuees. On August 4, 1942 a routine search was conducted in order to search for hot plates which in some cases had been authorized. The searchers became abusive towards the evacuees and in turn rumors began to form throughout the camp. The searchers were harassed, but none were injured. The military police were called in with tanks and machine guns and the riot was ended. The searchers were later replaced.
