Dear Jim:
I’m a 10 Cent Challenge subscriber with an idea that may help folks with their storage items.
I was out the the shed looking for my box ‘o bullets to catch up on some reloading and came across an empty 81mm rocket box. Sprayed it off with the hose and let it dry and started thinking that it looks like the same height of a #10 can, I tried it and it was. So since I dislike storing survival items in cardboard, not sturdy enough or water proof, started loading it up and lo and behold the Mountain House freeze dried cans fit also. So far so good.
Also looked to be the right size (~14″ wide, 25″ long and 7″ high) to make a ‘go’ box. That would be a box with a variety of items that one could just grab and go [or Get Out of Dodge (G.O.O.D.)] in a hurry, or give it to a needy, unprepared relative or some other poor unfortunate that was in need of charity and then tell them to ‘Go’. Grab, as in not having to search around looking for different things such as matches, which food to take/give, and items like toilet paper, light source, fuel, etc.
So this is what I came up with, one sturdy metal box with the following items: Five liters of water, P38 can opener, 12 hour Chemical Light sticks (4), Plastic forks (4), Bic Lighter, 2 books of matches, one roll of toilet paper, Trioxane (4 boxes, 3 bars each) 66 oz can of Tuna, #10 can of freeze Dried Chicken/Rice, #10 can Freeze Dried green beans, two #10 cans (that’s over 12 pounds!) of Costco Cattle Drive Chili with Beans (yum!) box of 64 feminine light day pads (also works as bandage) small bar of hotel soap, mylar blanket, candle and a small knife. Should keep a couple of people set with the basics for a week or so if they are able to forage additional water.
I’m sure I can tweak the contents with this and that but overall I’m happy with it! Take care and may God Bless you and yours for all the good work you do. – Cactus Jim
JWR Replies: Although they are very space and cost efficient, I generally do not recommend buying humongous containers of wet-packed foods–such as the cans of tuna and chili that you mentioned for that purpose. Unless you are feeding 10 or more people at once, there is too much risk of spoilage in all but the coldest of weather. Most of us with small to medium-sized families should stick with smaller wet-pack cans for our G.O.O.D. kits!