In my volunteer family emergency preparedness training efforts with inner city organizations I have begun handing out free emergency preparedness kit bags. These have a retail value of about $0.75 (obviously my cost is less) and I can afford to give each person attending the 2 hour workshop enough for one per family member. These are custom made ziplock bags with a cut out handle above the zip that allows for easy carrying. They are designed to hold the personal supplies necessary for one person for 3 days of survival. The bags are clearly marked as an emergency kit and have a place to write in one’s name, contact info, etc with a Sharpie.

This same concept of providing “the bag” (and whatever else a business or organization might be able to afford to give) with a list of contents to add, could help many thousands to become motiviated to get prepared.

Though I use a custom designed bag, it would be easy for any organization to provide some kind of backpack or shoulder bag that could be purchased through any number of channels.