Mormon Canneries and Self-Reliance

November 5, 2008 at 4:42 pm • No Comments 

 

At the Houston Texas Cannery operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, members work on a peanut butter assembly line.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are taught to prepare for emergencies by having a one-year food storage as well as an immediate two-week supply of food, water, and money. Stocking up on food storage is just one of the many ways that we can prepare for the troubled times we now live in.

If you don’t have any food storage yet, you can get it done at the cannery. You volunteer your time and labor (along with others), and only pay for the cost of the food itself. This is for stuff that you would need in bulk, such as grains, beans, et cetera. The other part of your food storage should come from the grocery store for items that you use on a regular basis, such as canned goods, and should be rotated every six months or so. A good way to start is tithing your food budget.

By using 10 percent of your food budget for food storage, you will be able to grow your supply easily and without much struggle. For example, when you go grocery shopping with a budget of $100, spend the first $10 on food storage items (specifically things that you need and that are on sale), then the remaining $90 on your regular groceries on your list. You will be amazed at quickly you are able to build up your food storage this way.

Now that Obama will be our next president, it is clearly evident that “change” will happen, and it will be only worse than it is now. Time to get started on the preparations…

Categories: Food Storage, Self-Sufficiency
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72 Hour Kits

October 29, 2008 at 12:35 am • No Comments 

You never know when a calamity might arise that requires your previous preparedness. I like to think of the 5 P’s: Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. That should speak volumes on the need to be prepared.

However, the first line of defense to prepare for the first 72 hours. The reasoning behind this is that it should get your through the most dramatic parts of the situation. When Hurricane Ike devasted the Houston area last month, most people were left without electricity for over a week. A 72 hour pack provided enough preparation to cope with the situation and evaluate a plan of action. We had an immediate source of light, food, and communication.

A 72 hour pack should be something that you have access to at all times, whether in your home, car, or work. It should be mobile and always ready to go. A backpack is the suggested tote for the items. Some things that you might consider putting in it are:

Food:
Protein Bar or Food Bar (2000+ calorie)
Granola Bars
Trail Mix
Dried / Dehydrated Fruit
Water (1 gallon per person)
Canned foods ready to eat (tuna, beans, corn, carrots)
Water Purification (tablets, drops, et cetera)

Bedding and Clothing
Change of Clothing
Jacket
Undergarments
Poncho / Rain Coat
Solar Blanket
Cloth Sheet
Plastic Sheet / 50 gal Garbage bag

Fuel and Light
Flash Light
Extra Batteries
Light Sticks
Lighter
Waterproof Matches

Tools and Equipment
Small Pup Tent
AM/FM Radio (with batteries)
FRS two-way radios (with batteries)
Whistle
Axe / Hatchet
Utility Knife
Nylon Rope
Duct Tape
Shovel
Crescent Wrench
Screw Driver
Camping Stove
Can Opener
Permanent Marker

Personal Supplies
First Aid Kit
Toilet Paper
Hand Sanitizer
Soap
Toothbrush and Toothpaste
Deoderant
Presciption Medication for 3 days
Baby Formula and Diapers (if needed)

Some Extra Stuff
Cash
Computer Backup (on CD/DVD)
Home Inventory (on DVD)
Legal Documents

You may also want to consider adding games, puzzles, and activities for children to alleviate any possible boredom. It is recommended that you review the contents of your 72 hour kit periodically and update it as necessary; every six months is ideal (Daylight Saving Time or General Conference). What your experiences with 72 hour kits?

Categories: 72 Hour Kit, Food Storage, Self-Sufficiency
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Preparedness or Hoarding?

September 20, 2008 at 10:31 am • 2 Comments 

People of this greaty country have been badly misinformed by the mass media about what actually constitutes “hoarding.” By preparing and stockpiling several months in advance, you do not contribute to any shortages. Supply chains are continously replenished when there is no crisis at hand. So, by buying and storing supplies, food, ammunition, and gas well in advance, you are actually helping to alleviate the short-term supply disruption when disaster hits.

Only the people that buy a disproportionately large supply during a crisis could be legitamately labeled as “hoarders.” People who prepare well in advance are not part of the problem but are rather part of the solution since by having extra on hand, they can dispense charitably.

Categories: Food Storage, Self-Sufficiency
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Food Storage

August 18, 2008 at 6:52 am • 2 Comments 

I recently got more added to our family’s food storage. It is advisable to have at least a year supply for each member of the family. These are foods that can sustain life: wheat, rice, beans, et cetera. It is always best to be prepared for the unknown. There may be a calamity; you may lose employment; there may be a severe illness; truckers may go on strike causing grocery stores to be bare.

W. Cleon Skousen made a statement regarding the morality of storing food: “If you buy up food when there is plenty, that’s food storage. If you wait until it’s scarce, that’s hoarding.” Right now, we live in a period of time of plenty. Pharaoh of Egypt listened to Joseph and stored wheat during the years of plenty, and thus had food during the coming years of famine.

Don’t wait until the crisis is so obvious that everyone is scrambling for food. It is too late at that point. The time to prepare is now. Begin an orderly, systematic, well-planned storage program immediately.

If you don’t have the money for a whole year supply right now, then start by making some sacrifices and buy systematically each month as much as you can until you have reached your year supply.

Categories: Food Storage
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