From Flu Wiki 2

Forum: Care Package Ideas

06 August 2006

knowall – at 08:30

I’m considering putting some care packages together to give to hungry neighbors, if the need arises. Could anyone share their ideas on what to put in the care packages and how much of each item? I’d like to do it as cheaply as possible. I was thinking rice and beans might be a good option but perhaps I shouldn’t assume people will have the means to cook.

Gary – at 09:22

Knowall, The same thoughts crossed my mind. Many people can’t cook (I can’t!) and would have to be told what to do. I’ve thought of including some soap, which should be very welcome after a bit. Actually, a jug of water might be more welcome. In the winter, an arm load or so of firewood would be nice too. I’m setting up garbage cans under my downspouts to catch water, so I should have some to give away. Some sweet treat might make life with children easier. I’d give the parents some candy for their kids if I had any.

nopower – at 10:10

Some reading material: http://www.fluwikie2.com/pmwiki.php?n=Forum.CreatingACarePackageForFriendsAndNeighbors

nopower – at 10:13

I haven’t done anything on this myself but it is still on my mind. I figured I would get myself to a more prepared state first and then reconsider it.

knowall – at 10:54

hi nopower – at 10:10 - I found that same thread when I did a search earlier today but if you read it, it doesn’t give that many details about the care packages themselves. I was thinking about putting some food items like rice and beans in a ziplock baggy to hand out and storing the baggies in a container with my other preps. But again, I don’t know if it would be better to find something that doesn’t need to be cooked. Or maybe ramen noodles?

nopower – at 11:49

The problem is you can give them rice and beans for a much longer time but they might not have the water or fuel to cook it. Or you can give them soup and MRE’s that only require a little heat but they get a fraction of the meals from it. It’s not an easy call. Then there is the issue of people not wanting to eat rice and beans and EXPECTING you to provide them with something else.

I have to run out but I will give this some thought again tonight.

DoubleDat 12:01

Gallon freezer bag of dried beans Gallon freezer bag of rice Gallon freezer bag of instant non-fat milk Sandwich sized ziplock bag of salt Sandwich sized ziplock bag of sugar Bottled water (larger sizes) if you have it to spare Gallon freezer bag of oatmeal (old fashioned oats) Large jar of peanut butter

It is not “good eating” but it will keep someone fed and hydrated long enough that they can figure out how to provide for themselves.

DoubleDat 12:03

Yikes… sorry about the formatting on my last post. I do a list and it just runs it all together. Yuck.

anonymous – at 12:27

I vote on the side of maybe adding a little something that they can eat right away if they can’t cook rice and beans or oatmeal— like canned soup (previously mentioned) or some saltine crackers for that peanut butter….maybe some generic “toaster pastries” or tiny fruit cups as sweet treats for kids.

knowall – at 13:08

DoubleD – at 12:01 - Your care packages sound very, very generous! I like the idea of peanut butter as something cheap and nutritious that doesn’t need to be cooked. Actually, I don’t really know how cheap it is since I don’t eat it myself, but I bet for foods that don’t need cooking, its a good buy.

I read in one thread that someone planned to put a sterno can in a care package so that people could cook rice and beans. I’m not familiar with sterno cans, would that work?

knowall – at 13:10

anonymous – at 12:27 - Toaster pastries are a great idea and I bet they have a really long shelf life!

Just realized if we give out peanut butter and crackers, we better give something to drink, too!

DoubleDat 13:32

knowall - it is somewhat generous, but the truth is I do not plan to provide care packages for just anyone that arrives at my door. I have a reserve for providing support to others - but it is limited - so it will be for immediate (known) neighbors. My family members are all too far away to help with the exception of one of my sisters - but she is prepared already and will not require my help.

knowall – at 13:40

DoubleD – at 13:32 -

Yes, I think that’s going to be my plan, too. I’d like to make a few care packages for people I know (like my neighbors) so maybe I will put in a few extra items, like powdered milk and a bottle of water. I can’t afford to feed everyone in my town!

Northstar – at 14:14

knowall — I’d give instant food. For example, I just started making “instant oatmeal” for my kids — quick oatmeal, some of it blendered to powder, dry milk, sugar and cinnamon — they just add water and microwave 30 sec. They love it! In a pinch, people could just add water and stir. I’m also coming up with dehydrated food mixes — I’ve made a killer instant potato soup — mashed potato flakes, dry milk, bouillion, onion powder — a cup of that is very satisfying. Next is some instant spanish rice — tomato boullion, instant rice, dried onion — with a can of beans it could feed a family. On another thread someone mentioned grinding beans for instant bean soup — I haven’t tried it myself, but thought it sounded like a fantastic idea. All of these things are: light, easy to pack a large quantity, easy to fix with just water (and maybe a candle), cheap to have on hand, and nutritious enough. (People harsh on instant rice but check the box — it’s enriched.)

knowall – at 19:10

Northstar – at 14:14 - Thanks so, those are great suggestions—silly me didn’t even consider that I could actually *make* the instant food myself out of prep ingredients. Its cheaper and probably better tasting and “homier” than handing out a can of Dinty Moore. I like that idea!

CAMikeat 19:18

Northstar amd others, great idea. Amy idea how long such pre-prepared meals would last? I have been thinking canned goods for my care packages but I like what you are suggesting if for no other reason then it will weigh less and I can include more in the care package.

Mike

CAMikeat 19:20

Actually, has anyone put together a list for a care package that would fit in a 5 gallon bucket? If there is a seperate thread on this topic just point me to it.

Mke

CAMikeat 19:20

Mke = Mike. :bleh

Melanie – at 19:22

Peanut butter, melba toasts and water.

Bronco Bill – at 19:59

CAMike---

Here’s one of many threads on the Forum:

http://www.fluwikie2.com/pmwiki.php?n=Forum.CarePackageIdeas

Go up to the search box on the upper left sidebar and type in Care Package.

knowall – at 20:11

Bronco Bill – at 19:59 -

Hey, BB, I think that’s a link to this thread!

Bronco Bill – at 20:25

Oh SH**!!!! You’re right….I was doing the link as I passed my PC. I’ll go look for others….

BB goes back to his kitchen…hoping noone else notices…

Bronco Bill – at 20:31

Try this one, as well as others.

Creating A Care package For Friends And Neighbors

Do seperate searches for bucket, “5 gallon”, “care package”, and neighbor

Bronco Bill – at 20:36

That page also has a nasty sidescroll due to what I’m guessing is one of the late posts. Poster apparently tried to seperate with asterisks.

That thread is closed anyway (but still readable), so it shouldn’t cause too much concern…

knowall – at 20:40

Bronco Bill, you are SO helpful, I really appreciate it! (even though nopower – at 10:10 already posted that link) we didn’t think it had enough details about what to put in the packages, it seems like things got a little sidetracked, but it was still a very helpful thread for ideas. Can’t post it too many times!

Medical Maven – at 20:44

Do yourself and your neighbors a favor. Shortly after the contagion has hit get out the door at midnight with the goodies that you are dispensing. Disguise yourself and surreptitiously drop off the stuff at their doorsteps. And lastly leave a package at your doorstep. And remember to act surprised when you open your door.

And if somebody beats your neighbors to their doorstep loot, well then that person will last another week or two longer than the others.

But if you want to apply PURE LOGIC instead of sentimentality, you would tell your neighbors to cinch their belts and get on down to the local utilities with everything that you can spare. THAT is the way you save your community and your neighbors. You keep that damn grid up. You keep the water running. You keep the electricity flowing. You keep the lights on and hope alive.

Give your neighbors a Future, not a Hallmark Farewell Card and a Last Supper or two.

knowall – at 20:51

Medical Maven – at 20:44 - I could be wrong, but I doubt the local utilities would want volunteers under any circumstances unless they have engineering degrees!

Medical Maven – at 20:54

knowall: If they or their families have run out of food, they will not be very effective in their jobs. I doubt they have done any better than our neighbors in regards to prepping.

Gary – at 20:54

I like these ideas of “instant” home-made foods. I also like the idea of passing out water. Water will be a much greater need than food. Standard outdoor survival thinking is that you can go weeks without food, but only days without water. But the biggie is heat. You last only hours without heat. I’m filling my backyard with cordwood (six cords and counting) with that idea in mind. Many people have fireplaces, which will provide some minimal heat at the espense of a lot of wood. But as most moderns would have trouble lighting and sustaining a fire, maybe the most needed thing would be to light the fire and give a little instruction yourself. Maybe a sheet of basic hints on how to get water, get wood, how to cook, etc. stuffed into the can or box with the food and water, etc. might have the greatest long term benefit.

Medical Maven – at 20:56

The utility workers will be “bailing out” if they and their families are not supported. Period. No illusions.

Gary – at 21:03

One more thing. A box of matches goes in the care package too.

knowall – at 21:03

Medical Maven – at 20:56 - but how can we support them, do you really mean knocking on the door of the public utilities office and asking if they need any help pushing the buttons? we could always drop off a few care packages! (just kidding, but really, how can we help them?)

knowall – at 21:04

Gary – at 20:54 -you are sooooo generous to hand out cordwood, isn’t that a very expensive item? Unless you live in a forest . . .

Gary – at 21:06

‘Nother thing. I’m saving carboard boxes to put all this in. Cardboard is a great firestarter.

Medical Maven – at 21:08

GIVE THEM FOOD. SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. GIVE THEM FOOD, TOO.

There are very few of us preppers. If we scatter our spare resources, we are irresponsible. If at the end of the day we feel good about ourselves, but we have not helped prevent a societal collapse, then what is the point. You make your bullets count when you are short of ammo. And God we are short on “ammo”.

knowall – at 21:09

Has anyone ever seen the Esbit Fuel Tablets? (campmor.com has them) They cost $5.99 for 12 and each one burns for 15 minutes and supposedly you can boil a pint of water in 8 minutes with them. Maybe something like that would be good for a care package as a heat source. Again, you’d have to include matches.

Gary – at 21:12

Knowall-at 21:04 Well, I don’t live in woods exactly, but there are a lot of trees around and some one is always cutting one down. Make it known that you will take wood and the neighbors will beat a path to your door! Besides, my M.D. says exercize is good for old people and I enjoy cutting and splitting wood. Nothing calms the body after the horrors of the days’ news for me better than splitting some wood.

knowall – at 21:16

Medical Maven – at 21:08 - okay, I see what you mean. I’ll make up some extra care packages for the good people who keep the grid up. By the way MM, this is off topic, but did you ever see that TV series from the 1970′s called Survivors, it was a Brit show about the aftermath of a pandemic. The survivors go through all kinds of hell building their society back up again and the series ends when they finally figure out how to get the electric plants working again. If you haven’t seen it, I know you’d LOVE it. Its got all the worst-case scenarious that we talk about here at FW. I have it on DVD.

Gary – at 21:21

Knowall at 21:09 Esbit tablets do pretty well. They give off few toxic fumes and I believe they, like Sterno, can be used indoors. But, they go pretty quickly. Sterno, I think, lasts longer and has the ability to be turned “on and off”. Also, you need something like the little Esbit stove to put them in, they get pretty hot. I tried them out once and I think they boil water in 3–4 minutes, but they were done in 9 or so minutes. You can get Sterno in most grocery stores. Now having said all these nice things about it, I should admit I haven’t tried it myself. One more thing to do.

Medical Maven – at 21:21

knowall: Yes I remember the series. It was good.

knowall – at 21:21

Gary – at 21:12 - you are an angel for splitting all that wood to help others! I can see how chopping wood might be an excellent tension reliever if you’re a big, strong, guy, that is. I’m going to stick with making my little packets of rice and beans and oatmeal!

Gary – at 21:36

Knowall, I just looked over your post and saw you had commented on the burn time, etc. of the Esbit tablets. I think I used a quart of water? I didn’t really get a rolling boil going by 3–4 minutes. Also, I agree with you and MM on getting something to “essential workers” if we can. We will all get thru this thing a whole lot easier and quicker if we go at it togeter. Aristotle is right, man is essentially a social animal. And, what goes round, comes round. We will get, in the end, more than we give. Others have their skills and resources which can help us.

Gary – at 21:43

Knowall at 21;21 You seem like the kind of neighbor I’d like to be. Trade you some wood for some ride and beans?

Gary – at 21:45

That should be “rice” and beans. It’s getting too late, time to toddle off to bed.

knowall – at 21:48

Gary – at 21:36 - I copied the Esbit info off the Campmor.com web site, it might not be 100 percent accurate in terms of the boiling and burn times. Do you think Sterno would be an easier and cheaper alternative than the Esbit tabs, or do you think the two are about the same? I like the idea of including a heat source but I’m trying to keep this as low-budget as possible.

knowall – at 21:49

Gary – at 21:43 - that’s funny, lol!

knowall – at 21:50

okay neighbor!

07 August 2006

Northstar – at 12:09

CAMike — The quick oatmeal I get is about $1.50 (at Aldi’s) for a great big cannister, with 30 servings. Add another buck’s worth of sugar and dry milk and you could feed a family of four breakfast for for $2.50 a week.

A pound of pasta (.50 on sale) dry milk, flour for thickening, seasonings, a can of peas or mixed vegetables, and a can of salmon ($1.20 at Aldi’s, often $1. at drug store sales) can feed my family of 5 dinner for two days.

A box of mac and cheese (with a little butter and milk) for $.20 (on sale) can feed my 3 kids lunch easily. I buy the stuff by the case anymore when it’s on sale.

I can see a box with a 2-gallon bag of oatmeal mix, a half-dozen boxes of mac-n-cheese, a gallon bag of rice mix, dry beans, a tinned ham, a can of salmon, a couple cans of tomato sauce/beans/vegetables and a couple pounds of pasta feeding a family — if they ration — for a week for under $10.

Hope that helps visualize it all…

History Lover – at 12:27

Knowall - On another thread I suggested that prior to a pandemic hitting us, we could suggest to our local officials that our neighborhood churches, fire departments, and police stations have a drop off point for contributions that would be activated once we know that a pandemic is imminent. That way you could drop off whatever you choose but still remain anonymous (and not worry about people knocking at your door). I know that we can’t save everyone, but if it helps even a little bit, it’s better than nothing.

Slainte – at 12:28

I found this a long time ago. There would have to be recipes added for some of the items.

ONE MONTH IN A BOX

One 20 quart size powdered milk (4 pounds)

One 10 lb bag rice

Two 4 lb bags beans

Two 3 lb bags of macaroni

Three 13 ounce quick oats

Two 5 lb bags flour

One 8 ounce baking cocoa

One 4 lb bag of sugar

One 10 oz baking powder

One 8 oz baking soda

One 4 lb jar of peanut butter

One 1 qt bottle of syrup

30 miscellaneous cans (soups, vegetables, chili, etc.)

One bottle hot sauce

One bottle soy sauce

9 miscellaneous spice bottles & salt

2 vitamin bottles

One 4 ounce bottle of vanilla extract

One 4 ounce bottle of yeast

One 16 oz bottle of jalapeno peppers

I found a 23 inches by 21 inches by 10 inches computer box, and all of above food fit into the box,

with the lid folding flat and would fit underneath a bed or table. . — The above would provide the following daily servings: (for one person)

2–1/2 cups milk

1–1/2 cups cooked rice

1–1/2 cups cooked beans

1–1/2 cups cooked macaroni

1 cup cooked oats

1 cup flour

4 Tbs. peanut butter

1 miscellaneous can of food

Plus daily sugar and spice

if a half gallon or so of cooking oil, another can per day and a serving of fruit juice (equivalent of another can)

are added, which wouldn’t fit in this space, you’d be all right for a month.

Depending on the assortment of cans, a variety of stuff can be made from these ingredients, including cinnamon rolls,

oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cookies, tuna casserole, etc.

Hillbilly Bill – at 12:47

History Lover – at 12:27

Even better would be for those agencies to be stocking supplies right now.

lurkerMartha – at 13:05

Just about everything I have in my care boxes is listed here in one post or another. But I did add some Tylenol, information sheets about caring for ill persons, personell hygene, local charities, staying warm, cleaning water, and a small cooking pan.

I think I will be adding afew other things, bath soap and bleach.

I added buddy pots for mine. I find them cheap to make and they last forever. (small tin cans fulled with rolled cardboard, add melted wax on to the cardboard)

I do have one suggestion that if you have a dehydrator and the time. Pasta, rice and beans can be turned into instant easily cookable foods that take much less fuel. Cook these foods then dehydrate them. Because they are all ready cooked, when reconstituting all that is required is to adding boiling water for reabsorption. Works great with soups that have dried veggies and vegetable powders.

lurkerMartha – at 13:06

Just about everything I have in my care boxes is listed here in one post or another. But I did add some Tylenol, information sheets about caring for ill persons, personell hygene, local charities, staying warm, cleaning water, and a small cooking pan.

I think I will be adding afew other things, bath soap and bleach.

I added buddy pots for mine. I find them cheap to make and they last forever. (small tin cans fulled with rolled cardboard, add melted wax on to the cardboard)

I do have one suggestion that if you have a dehydrator and the time. Pasta, rice and beans can be turned into instant easily cookable foods that take much less fuel. Cook these foods then dehydrate them. Because they are all ready cooked, when reconstituting all that is required is to adding boiling water for reabsorption. Works great with soups that have dried veggies and vegetable powders.

lurkerMartha – at 13:11

Ok I dont know why this posted twice,,, would someone please deleat one,,, thank you

bgw in MT – at 19:35

Northstar, you have a great idea there with the make-your-own mix recipes. Could you possibly share them with us?

Northstar – at 19:54

Thanks, bgw in MT — I would if I had any! (Recipes, that is!) I just put it together until it tastes right. I’m just about ready to do another batch of my instant oatmeal — I’ll try to track how much of each thing I put in to get it right, then post it up. :-) Same with my potato soup. I’m drying some corn right now to make an instant “spanish rice” with, so I’ve got a few ideas in the pipeline.

I used to think “dehydrated food” was just nasty survival type stuff, but then it occured to me a lot of package food in the grocery store — such as Hamburger Helper, stroganoff dinner mixes, etc. — is just dehydrated food. Duh!

Kathy in FL – at 20:02

I posted these a long time ago on the very first recipe thread … it even came before “I”. <grin> I’m not saying this will be the perfect solution … but just adding ingredients to boiling water should be simple enough for most folks. If people don’t have water then that is a different issue all together and no “care package” is going to help.

Put the following dry ingredients in a quart sized jar and then when you need it just add the wet ingredients.

Black Bean Soup

Rinse and soak beans. Drain and then place beans in a large soup pot with 10 cups of water. Add seasonings. Cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Add tomatoes and simmer for an additional 30 minutes or until beans are firm but tender.


Put the following dry ingredients in a quart sized jar and then when you need it just add the wet ingredients.

Cheesy Potato Soup

Place dry ingrediets in a large soup pot. Add 8 cups of boiling water. Mix well and let stand 5 minutes. Add ham if desired.


Put the following dry ingredients in a quart sized jar and then when you need it just add the wet ingredients.

Creamy Cheese Soup

Place all ingredients in a large soup pot. Add 5 cups boiling water. Mix well and bring back to a boil. Boil 4 to 6 minutes, stirring often and scraping bottom of pan. Add more water if you want to then it out some.

Gary – at 21:22

Well, it seems the ladies and their recipes are going full force. Not much I can add to that. Just a plea to consider that if you don’t have water, the food isn’t going to do you much good, and, in fact, eating when you are low on water hastens death. Maybe we should save some gallon milk jugs, fill them with clean water, and send them along with our care packages? Matches, firestarters,(candle stubbs, LurkerMartha’s “buddy pots”, old newspapers, cardboard), multivitamins, a couple of pages copied from a Boy Scout manual on how to start a fire, a small jug of bleach, soap, and other things mentioned on this thread, should be considered as well as food. Not that I am in any way opposed to food. Actually, I eat too much of it myself!

08 August 2006

Kathy in FL – at 09:49

Gary – at 21:22

Gary, you are correct, without water no care package is going to do much good.

I have a feeling though that those without water aren’t really going to be looking for “care packages.” They are going to be too busy looking for water. If water is that big of a problem in any given area then it is unlikely that those “with” will have enough to simply give away to those “without.”

And if it is a real problem then people that have put out tarps and such may have to “guard” them from being stolen by those that want to harvest water as well.

I’m not saying that will be a widespread problem but it is conceivable.

Perhaps a “community collection site” for water harvesting could be developed … but then you have the problem of enforcing any kind of rationing issues.

Since I, personally, can’t fix those types of issues I will continue to do what I’ve done and that is to prepare simple care packages that include:

I also have started a collection of trial sizes of stuff like toothpaste, mouthwash, diaper wipes, etc. I’ve also still got some diapers that my son outgrew.

All of this stuff really doesn’t take up that much room. It is similar in nature to what our church made up for local homeless shelters to distribute — an enticements to get people to come in off the street for a while.

I am prepared to either distribute these “care packages” to my neighbors myself or see the supplies go to a central community distribution point … which ever shows the need first.

Gary – at 10:22

Kathy in FL 9:49 I like your care package ideas. One thing that is suggested by all our variety of ideas is that one package may not be best for all situations. People’s circumstances, the community’s experience with the flu, the length of time in SIP, the condition of services (water, electricity, gas, etc.) may indicate different packages. It is a part of the more general problem of prepping, no one knows exactly what to expect and, thus, what to prepare for. I think it will be much different than many others on the fluwiki seem to think. I think it will be less violent than they do. People who are sick, starving, thirsty, etc. are not ABLE to be violent. Remember, without gas, people will have to walk wherever they go. Americans don’t/can’t walk. Poor Americans, rich Americans, whatever, we don’t walk. Our interactions after the pandemic will be mainly with our neighbors, people who can walk to our house. If you think someone is going to steal your food or water, it will likely be someone you know. AND, they will have to be healthy enough to do so. Water is heavy, I just hauled 4 gal. in my solar shower bag out to the sunny back porch. I’m a delicate little broth of a lad at 6′ 3″ and 190 lbs. Yeah, I’m an old coot at 62, but healthy enough and the water was a hefty haul. Can’t see a sick, despirately thirsty man wandering around searching for water stores and hauling them off. He’d stick his head in a creek first and worry about pollution later. So the point of my aged ramble is that it will be different than we (and I!) think, and that we should prepare accordingly. :-)

nopower – at 11:25

My street of 12 residents all run wells and most of us have generators. It doesn’t make sense for us to all run our generators to pump water for our houses individually. We could run the block off of 3 or 4 houses at a time running hoses to the rest and filling up water barrels. We would conserve gas so that we could pump water for a longer time period. Unfortunately this plan assumes that all my neighbors are prepared and are SIP like I plan to. One of my neighbors is an ER nurse and the other is highup in the fire department a couple cities south of here, I don’t know about all the rest but a couple of them are retired and a few work from home or own their own service businesses.

Florida does have some advantages to prepping. Most people are atleast prepared for hurricanes. Don’t have to worry about keeping warm in winter. Alot of people have pools, lakes, or canals in their backyard. The big negative will be keeping cool and hydrated in the summer but then it seems the rest of the country is surpassing us in heat lately.

CAMikeat 16:11

Thanks folks. I have gotten some great ideas. Now I just need to start collecting and packaging the items (and putting a plan in place to rotate out the contents of the care packages as they age).

Mike

nopower – at 16:21

11:25 should read:

“My street of 12 residences…”

Prepping Gal – at 16:50

I was thinking about how I would give to neighbors without allowing them into my pantry. I had trouble recently keeping a visitor (actually her child) from going into the pantry- she wanted to check out the entire house and I guess she had never heard “no” before when I said the pantry was off-limits, I insisted. I was thinking maybe they should give me a list & I’d give them what I could spare. Will you let your neighbors go through your shelves? How will you handle the “pushy” ones that say “ let me see what you’ve got?” I can be stern but its my DH that is more likely to say “go ahead take what you want?” and then think about it later. I’ve already told him I am in control of supplies (which I have spent months acquiring) because I know what we have, how much we have and how much we’ll use. I will put locks on the doors at some point.

silversage – at 17:05

yes, I had a neighbor child like that too. She told me she could live forever in my basement cause of all the food and drinks. She was visiting grandma for the summer and now lives several states away but I wonder what she told grandma. I have several different spots aside from my big pantry, all my nieghbors know where my big pantry is cause they all borrow stuff. So I figure I can provide out of that one if needed. I won’t allow anyone in my house because of potential contamination. Tell them and DH it’s as much for their safety as yours.

Nimbus – at 17:06

How about telling them “I have some extra rice, beans, oatmeal, etc if you can use them”, which puts you clearly in control. I can’t imagine you would be letting anyone into your house during a pandemic, not to mention your pantry. This also eliminates the problem of giving folks stuff they can’t or won’t eat.

silversage – at 17:07

After I read this thread I started putting measured amounts of food in foodsaver bags with amounts and cooking instructions on them to hand out if necessary.

knowall – at 17:51

Wow, so many great ideas on this thread! Thanks to all for contributing. I’m actually looking forward to making up these care packages now that I have all this new info!

Prepping Gal – at 16:50 - I’m imagining that I’ll distribute the care packages myself, maybe by leaving them anonymously on people’s doorsteps,at the public utilities office, church, etc. I don’t want anyone entering my home, but if someone knocked on my door, I would probably tell them to wait at a distance, then I would put on gloves and a mask and place the package down on the ground for them to pick up after I had left. I would make sure not to touch my door handle with my bare hands.

I am planning to give everyone the same care package, whether or not they eat everything in it is up to them. I want to have everything boxed up individually ahead of time because I don’t want to spend time listening to people’s shopping lists . . . that opens the gateway for nosy neighbors and potential exposure to the virus, I’d rather just give the handout with no discussion. My neighbors already think of me as a hermit (albeit a friendly hermit)so I doubt if they’d try to invite themselves in.

Does this sound unrealistic or uncharitable?

bgw in MT – at 18:05

Thanks for the recipes, Kathy. They sound delicious. Northstar the ingredients you were mentioning for your oatmeal sound really good, also. I usually have all those ingredients in my pantry already, which would make them really handy.

Kathy in FL – at 18:10

The “what little bit I have left” excuse might work. As in I’ll split what little bit I have left, but it isn’t much of what you are probably used to.

I don’t like to encourage telling outright falsehoods … but if someone has enough gall to actually tell you what they want from the preps that you spent time and money to set aside then you gotta protect you family by phrasing things truthfully yet at the same time not giving too much info out. That would invite more trouble than it would solve regardless of how charitable your motives are. The reality in life is that some people are the opposite of charitable and/or have a real entitlement mentality.

I’m not saying you have to make them pay with their pride for what you give them … but you shouldn’t let them make you feel guilty if you give them less that haute cuisine either.

Poppy – at 23:50

Kathy - a jar of your patchwork soup to fix would be a nice care package to give someone. I just put the seasonings into a snack size zip bag and attach the seasonings and instructions to the jar. It’s a good soup choice for those in need as it really does make a lot of soup. I found adding a little beef bullion adds to the flavor. It fools the pallet into thinking there might actually be some beef in the soup. Also since I don’t care for lentils I substituted Great Northern beans.

For those worried about keeping nosey people out of your pantry…. How about a good deadbolt lock? Make sure that only the responsible adults in the house have a key and that any extra keys are in a secure place such as a safe. It will keep nosy neighbors and their children/grandchildren out of a room/closet that you do not want them in. When getting something for them avoid going into there to get what they need unless you have to and if you must do not take them with you. It is after all nobody’s business how much food you have stored in your home.

I’ve encountered this problem with a neighbor child years ago, she felt anything in my kitchen was hers for the taking and would just walk right into my home without knocking and open the fridge. The first time I gave her a good talking to and let her know I was taught such behavior was very rude, and I didn’t allow that in my home. The second time I discovered her after walking into my kitchen after a shower when no other family members were even aware she was in the house. She was told to leave and not come back. She went whining to daddy who was promptly told what his well fed (spoiled brat) child was doing and that such behavior was not welcome nor tolerated in my home nor was anyone engaging in such behavior and if he had a problem with my rules in my home he shouldn’t let the door hit him in his butt on the way out. From what I understand this girl never has changed her ways and is not a welcome guest in very many homes. I do not have to wonder why.

09 August 2006

katherine – at 03:37

This is beginning to sound like my three year ols favorite book. With my apology to the writer of Ifyou give a mouse a cookie…..”If you give a neighbor some peanutbutter, he will want some milk to go with it. So you’ll give him some milk and that will remind him that he always liked chocolate milk. You’ll put the chocalate in but he will want it heated up. So you will take the milk inside to heat it and that will remind him that he is cold too. You will bring him inside to warm him up and the milk and the heat have now made him tired. So you will put him in your bed to sleep. And he sneezes all over your bed-because he just remembered he is very sick and hungry and he will ask for some peanut butter to eat.”

katherine – at 03:46

For those of you putting care package together I have heard safeway will give away 5 gallon buckets from the bakery dept. i know my costco said I could have all I could carry away.

Poppy – at 10:29

Hey I wonder if Sam’s will do the same thing?

One solution for helping neighbors in need if you are worried about them wanting more is to leave a care package on their doorstep anonymously. There cannot be anything perishable or that animals could easily get into. Still it would be a way to help others without them knowing for sure where it came from. It also is a way to help those whose pride might be hurt by having their neighbors knowing they needed or accepted help.

Delivery of care packages could perhaps be organized through church groups as well since some people would take such a gift from a church offering it more readily than they would from a neighbor.

LizBat 19:48

I don’t think in terms of care packages, but of extra preps. If/when the time comes, who has what or needs what will probably be surprsing. People we assume need food will have been quietly prepping. Someone will need soap, another will have a drawer full of souvenir soaps from hotels. Someone will need tylenol, another will be allergic to it.

Extra preps, just stocking up on extra of whatever you know you need yourself - allows flexibility to meet actual needs - or to take care of surprising needs of your own, like if your son not only comes home but brings his girl and her mom. Extra means you have a spare flashlight or two or three, available to give away or use youself if your main one suddenly dies. If it’s in a care package, you may give the package away before finding out yours doesn’t work.

Extra means everything is easy to rotate, not lots of separate packages to unpack and rotate.

When the time comes that I see someone in need, I can decide then if I have a spare battery radio, a space bucket of rice, a spare box of matches - or if I have need for more of then than I had imagined and my “spares” aren’t spare at all!

Whatever I give away can be part of a neighborhood getting together to pull together, sharing resources to meet actual needs, a part of encouraging mutual identifying and meeting needs.

I’m-workin’-on-it – at 20:28

LizB – at 19:48 I arrived at that same conclusion back during Y2k……everyone needs something different & I had elderly as well as young neighbors to consider, with different metabolisms, tastes, etc. Better to try to meet individual needs as your supplies allow.

From a more practical point, if you’re storing things as an ongoing lifestyle, then NOT having separated bags or buckets for neighbors set aside from your regular stuff makes rotation MUCH more easy to do.

10 August 2006

CAMikeat 01:09

bump

11 October 2006

Closed - Bronco Bill – at 20:22

Closed to maintain Forum speed.

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