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Emergency Preparedness Storing Food and Hunger by Nikki Willhite The United States Government tells us that we should have food stored in our homes to last us 3 days in case of an emergency. Tell that to my husband. He has been on the scene of dozens of natural catastrophes for the last 35 years. He has seen the aftermath of everything from earthquakes, to hurricanes, tornadoes, wind storms, ice storms and more. That figure is grossly underestimated. In the case of a bad disaster, it can take 2 weeks for supplies to reach people in affected areas. The Red Cross is usually first on the scene, but their supplies are limited. Actually, Walmart is an unappreciated contributor to disaster relief. Their manpower and warehouses are more easily accessed, and they are usually one of the first stores to open and help with disaster relief. As I was reading some family history the other day, I was reminded how desperate people become when they don't have enough food. After I read this story, I wanted to go to Costco and start buying out the store. It is sad, but I relate it because it is interesting, and illustrates the what can happen when people get hungry. The story took place in 1740. One of my great great grandfathers, Samuel Fisher, was on a ship bound for the United States from Ireland. He was only 19 years old. Here is the excerpt from the book "The History of Londonderry, New Hampshire ", p. 218-220. (1850) - - - - ->  Beginning of Story SAMUEL FISHER Dea. Samuel Fisher was born in the north of Ireland, in the year 1722, and was of Scottish descent. His father was a weaver. Dea. Fisher came to America in 1740, in the nineteenth year of his age. The ship which he came was usually spoken of as "The starved ship." The vessel was so scantily supplied with provision, that long before the voyage was completed, one point of oat-meal for each individual on board, and a proportionate allowance of water, was all that remained. Mr. Fisher once went to the mate with a tablespoon to obtain some water, which was refused him there being but two-thirds of a chunk-bottle full on board. Mr. Fisher's custom was, to take a table-spoonful of meal daily, and having moistened it with salt water, to eat it raw. The passengers and crew, having subsisted in this manner for fourteen days, were at length reduced to the necessity of eating the bodies of those who had died. Even this resource failed them, and at length Mr. Fisher was selected to give up his life to preserve the lives of the rest. Providentially, however, a vessel hove in sight, and their signals of distress being observed they obtained relief and were saved. So deep an impression did the horrors of that passage make upon the mind of Mr. Fisher, that, in after life, he could never see, without pain, the least morsel of food wasted, or a pail of water thrown carelessly upon the ground. - - - - ->  End of Story While we hope to never face anything remotely similar to this, our food chain is fragile. Be wise when it comes to storing food. You can actually store a year's worth of food under a twin bed. You don't have to overdo it. Just put up a little extra food, and be prepared in case you need it. Buy your food on sale, use it, rotate it, and sleep soundly. FOR EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INFO- CLICK HERE About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com - where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money!

 

 

 

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