Emergency Preparedness Fair set for Oct. 8

A Ramona Emergency Preparedness and Health Fair that will include the opportunity to can food items will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 8. Anyone interested in canning must order a canning kit by Oct. 4.

The event will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 527 Ninth St., and is open to the public free of charge.

Information will be available from the California Department of Forestry, the U.S. Forest Service, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, North County Health Services, WIC (a program for low-income women, infants and children), Boy Scouts and the Ramona Senior Center.

There will also be a nutritional booth, glucose testing and more, said Pam McKeiman who is working on the event.

Signups will be available for such classes as emergency preparedness, cooking in the dark, and canning.

McKeiman stressed that this is a community event to help people prepare for an emergency before it’s too late.

The church has machines to can food in large metal cans, which extends the storage life, said McKeiman. Items such as rice, sugar, wheat, oats, beans and macaroni can last up to 30 years when canned, according to the canning order form.

To order a canning kit, contact ParentingUSA@aol.com.