Ark Prep 101

A friend of mine shared this awesome idea with me yesterday. It includes monthly goals in the areas of obtaining a one-year supply, three-month supply, emergency preparedness, inventory and evaluation, and monthly safety tasks. Thanks for sharing Alisa!

"The revelation to produce and store food may be as essential to our temporal welfare today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah."
--President Ezra Taft Benson, October 1987

ARK PACKING SUGGESTIONS
1. Go to www.lds.org
2. Click on "Provident Living"
3. Click on "Food Storage and Preparedness"
4. Storing Food is an important part of becoming self-reliant. Help your family become self-reliant by beginning or improving your own storage.

WHY FOOD STORAGE?
Provident living -- enjoying the present while providing for the future -- is the opposite of crisis management.

WHAT TO STORE?
BASIC STORAGE - "Life sustaining foods and non-food items that will store for long periods of time."

EXPANDED STORAGE - "Includes foods and other daily essentials to supply total nutritional needs and allow for variety and personal preferences. These foods should be used and replaced regularly."

What else would YOU want to eat? ...STORE IT!

HOW TO STORE

Location - cool, dark, dry, up off floors, pest free
Rotation - date items, use oldest first, before food goes bad - use it, share it or donate it
Inventory - update a written list, replace what you use, check for spoilage, remove bulging cans, insects
Containers - #10 cans, plastic buckets, foil pouches, original containers, glass jars

USING FOOD STORAGE - Basic Recipes

Egg Substitute Recipe (use in place of one egg)
Combine 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin with 3 tablespoons cold water and 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon boiling water. Set aside for a few minutes while it gels. Then use in recipe. (cookie/cake/etc.)

GARDENING - Got SEEDS?

EMERGENCY PREPARATION

"None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment may affect any of us."
-- President Gordon B. Hinckley, November 2002

FAMILY STORAGE GOAL ________________________

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

MONTHS:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Ark Prep 101 - December

SALT AND OIL MONTH
One Year Per Person

• 8 pounds salt
• 10 quarts oil: vegetable oil, shortening, butter, salad dressing, mayonnaise

Three Months Per Person

• 2 pounds salt
• 2.5 pounds oil

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Hold a fire drill
• Plan for an evacuation

MONTH SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Check for footwear under beds (in case of an earthquake)

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - November

GRAIN MONTH
One Year Per Person

• 400 pounds grains: wheat, flour, rice, pasta, oatmeal, cereal, corn, barley, rye, cornmeal, crackers

Three Months Per Person

• 100 pounds grain

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Fire extinguisher(s)
• Fire education

MONTHLY SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Perform safety check of home
• Check for footwear under beds (in case of an earthquake)

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - October

SUGAR MONTH
One Year Per Person

• 60 pounds sugar: white sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, honey, jello, jams and jellies, corn syrup, hard candy, chocolate chips

Three Months Per Person

• 15 pounds sugar

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Extra bedding and winter clothing

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Review emergency procedures with family members
• Have a Family Home Evening lesson on Preparedness
• Review procedures for turning off: gas, water, electricity

INVENTORY AND EVALUATE

• 72 hour kits
• Check water storage and replace if needed
• Review water purification

MONTH SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, REPLACE BATTERIES
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Check for footwear under beds

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - September

MILK MONTH
One Year Per Person

• 16 pounds nonfat dry milk and milk products: dry milk, cocoa, evaporated milk, dried cheese, dried eggs

Three Months Per Person

• 4 pounds milk products

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Alternate sources of heat

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Hold a fire drill
• Plan for an evacuation

INVENTORY AND EVALUATE

• Food Storage
• Fuel
• Sanitation
• First Aid
• Light items

MONTHLY SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Perform safety check of home
• Check for footwear under beds (in case of an earthquake)

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - August

LEGUME MONTH
One Year Per Person

• 60 pounds legumes: pork and beans, refried beans, peanut butter, chili, nuts, canned and dried beans

Three Months Per Person

• 15 pounds legumes

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Alternate sources of light

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Review emergency contact list both in and out of town
• Update personal records and home inventory for insurance purposes
• Designate a family meeting place in and outside the neighborhood
• Know neighbors you are to check on and to whom to report
• Have a financial plan for staying out of debt and savings

INVENTORY AND EVALUATE

• Stored emergency batteries - replace if needed

MONTH SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Perform safety check of home
• Check for footwear under beds (in case of an earthquake)

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - July

VEGETABLE MONTH
One Year Per Person

• 30 - 50 quarts canned or dried vegetables: tomatoes, corn, green beans, salsa, vegetable soup, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, potato pearls

Three Months Per Person

• 8 - 12 quarts vegetables

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Escape ladders for multi-level homes and homes with deep window wells

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Review emergency procedures with family members
• Have a Family Home Evening lesson on Preparedness
• Review procedures for turning off: gas, water, electricity

INVENTORY AND EVALUATE

• Stored medications - replace and rotate

MONTHLY SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguisher(s)
• Perform safety check of home
• Check for footwear under beds

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - June

FRUIT MONTH
One Year Per Person

• 50 - 75 quarts of canned or bottled fruit: applesauce, peaches, pears, fruit juices, dried fruits

Three Months Per Person

• 12 - 18 quarts

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Alternate sources of emergency cooking: propane stove, Dutch ovens

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Hold a fire drill
• Plan for an evacuation

MONTHLY SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Check for footwear under beds (in case of an earthquake)

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - May

WATER STORAGE
2 Weeks Per Person

• 14 gallons of water
• Store as much water as your circumstances allow
• 1 gallon bleach
• Baby supplies as needed: formula, baby food, diapers

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Supplies ended for water purification
• Earthquake education

MONTHLY SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Perform safety check of home
• Check for footwear under beds (in case of an earthquake)

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - April

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

• Trash bags
• Laundry detergent
• Dish and hand soap
• Feminine supplies

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Review emergency contact list both in & out of town
• Review emergency procedures with family members
• Have a Family Home Evening lesson on Preparedness
• Review procedures for turning off: gas, water, electricity
• Designate a family meeting place in and outside the neighborhood
• Know neighbors you are to check on and to whom to report
• Have a financial plan for staying out of debt and savings

INVENTORY AND EVALUATE

• 72 hour kits
• Check water storage and replace if needed
• Review water purification

MONTHLY SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, REPLACE BATTERIES

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - March

FIRST AID, PAPER, DENTAL

• First Aid supplies
• Extra paper products: plates, cups, paper towels, napkins, Kleenex, toilet tissue, plastic utensils
• Extra tooth brushes and toothpaste

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Update First Aid Kits: home & cars

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Hold a fire drill
• Plan for an evacuation

INVENTORY AND EVALUATE

• Food Storage
• Fuel
• Sanitation
• First Aid
• Light items

MONTHLY SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke & carbon monoxide detectors
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Perform safety check of home
• Check for footwear under beds

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - February

BAKING SUPPLIES
One Year Per Person

• 1 pound yeast
• 1 pound baking soda
• 1 pound baking powder
• Plus extra seasoning and sauces: vinegar, soy BBQ, spices, etc.

Three Months Per Person

• 1/4 pound yeast
• 1/4 pound soda
• 1/4 pound baking powder

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Update personal records and home inventory for insurance purposes

INVENTORY & EVALUATE

• Stored emergency batteries - replace if needed

MONTHLY SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Check for footwear under beds (in case of an earthquake)

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Ark Prep 101 - January

VITAMINS, MEAT & SOUP MONTH

• Multi-vitamins
• Personal medications
• Canned meats: tuna, clams, salmon, chicken, turkey, beef stew, beef jerky
• Canned soups, dried soup

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Review emergency procedures with family
• Have a Family Home Evening lesson on Preparedness
• Review procedures for turning off: gas, water, electricity

INVENTORY & EVALUATE

• Stored medications - replace and rotate

MONTHLY SAFETY TASKS

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check fire extinguisher(s)
• Perform safety check of home
• Check for footwear under beds (in case of an earthquake)

(Source: P. Brown, Meadows Ward)

Prepare for a Rainy Day

"It was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it and the rains came...We are told by seismologists that the Salt Lake Valley is a potential earthquake zone...We have built grain storage and storehouses...in the event of a disaster. But the best storehouse is the family storeroom. The Lord has said, "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing." Our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such a preparation as will assure survival should a calamity come. We can set aside some water, basic food, medicine, and clothing to keep us warm. We ought to have a little money laid aside in case of a rainy day."
--President Hinckley, October 2005