Right now the only example I can think of is "looting." Let's say much of the town has been abandoned. Can you walk into an unlocked, unmanned grocery store and grab something to eat?
If the store is unmanned and unlocked and abandoned, just who is going to report you to the authorities?
In most cases you are not going to be able to claim need unless you have gone for weeks without food and really do need it. If the situation lasts that long, I suspect it won't matter to anyone at all.
If you are desperate you might have to do something desperate to stay alive. As long as you don't harm anyone and it really is necessary, my guess is that chances are no one is coming after you.
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Warning - I am not an expert on anything having to do with this forum, but that won't stop me from saying what I think.

Bob