Week 5 - 72 Crew

Dear 72 Crew,


Sometimes life comes with soundtracks. Today as I started this email, there is was: Food, Glorious Food. I LOVE that song from the musical "Oliver". So, here 'tis - a youtube link for one company's production of it:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5DvrSP0Nd0&feature=related


And with that for the opening song, we get to this week's focus: A 3 day supply of food per person and pet in your family. On your checklists, you will see a number of suggestions from Protein Bars to Jolly Ranchers. Don't feel that you have to have all of these. Do focus on protein and energy. You are also going to want things that take little preparation. You may be able to mix with water. You may be able to warm things, but maybe not.


Some families use MREs. These have been used by the military for years and are easily transportable and compact, however, there are many brands out there and the "eatability" quotient of these is variable. So if you choose these, be sure you have an evening when you have these for dinner and make sure your family will really eat these before packing them in your 72 hour kits.


Take the same consideration and trial for protein bars. There are some wonderfully nutritious bars out there. But passing the gag test on some of them may be a family challenge. It could make for a fun FHE, though. One of my son's family regularly has taste test challenges on a variety of things for their FHEs.


If you choose to have canned items, remember that this will increase the weight of what is transported. Make sure you can accomodate that. And unless you choose the pop top variety, be sure to pack a can opener this week also.


Another FHE idea to accomplish this is to take your family to the grocery store and tell them the task is for them to find things that are individually packaged that they would eat for 3 days of meals. You'll have to have a talk before you turn them loose regarding "packability" and nutrition.


Over the years, Mark and I and the kids have put in various things. Right now, we have granola bars for breakfasts, tuna lunch kits for lunches, and pop top soups for dinners. We'd love to hear what each of your have/are deciding to put in your 72 hour kits.


If you have babies, don't forget their needs as to formula or strained foods.


Remember your pets. Measure out what they would need to eat for 3 days and put it in strong freezer type ziplock type baggies. If one of your bags is "communal", keep it in that bag. If not, store it in the 72 hour bag of the person in your family most likely to have charge of the pets during an emergency. To provide them a "feeding station" you may be able to make due with the containers from things you are eating. However, you can often find a cheap pet feeder at a "dollar" type store, and you may appreciate its convenience later on. So that may be a good thing to add to your kit.


In brief, the assignment for all of you this week, whether you are refreshing or buying for your kits for the first time, is to spend your $5 (per every two people in your family) on getting food items for the 3 days of food for your family members.


We will have this assignment for the next 5 weeks as well. (I've budgeted $5 per person per day. Your budget may be a little higher or lower based on your family's likes and needs.) Remember that some things you may find you can take right out of your pantry.


For those of you who are still putting things in cardboard boxes while you save for carrying bags, put any leftover money you have during this 6 week period in your savings envelope. Please let me know as you get your bags purchased.


Food, glorious food. In an emergency, we may be able to get by on gruel, but your family will be comforted if they know they have food they like in their kits to tide them over for 3 days.


Happy shopping,

Marie