Red Cross - Get A Kit

The Red Cross in its nature, it aims and purposes, and consequently, its
methods, is unlike any other organization in the country. It is an organization
of physical action, of instantaneous action, at the spur of the moment; it
cannot await the ordinary deliberation of organized bodies if it would be of use
to suffering humanity, ... [ellipsis in original] it has by its nature a field
of its own. - Clara Barton, founder of American Red Cross

The Red Cross recommends the following in step one of the "Be Red Cross Ready" plan - Get A Kit:

• Store at least three days of food, water and supplies in a easy-to-carry bag or pack plus extra supplies at home.
• Store the kit in an accessible location (near the front door or in your car).
• Update your kit every six months to replace expired items.

The Red Cross sells Preparedness Kits at the Red Cross.org store. The Ready-to-Go Emergency Preparedness Kit has been honored by Quick & Simple magazine as one of the best “Quick Fixes” of 2007.

The Red Cross also provides detailed instructions for creating your own kit under "Prepare at Home".

Bottom Line
It matters not whether you buy or make your own Preparedness Kit - either way Get a Kit!