Allan, it's a good idea to have some stored food on hand. Out here a supply of at least 72 hours is recommended, along with sufficient potable water. I prefer two-serving freeze-dried camping meals or MREs, but you probably have that much food in your cupboards.

Why? Well, I don't know where 'Wronger lives but here there are blizzards in winter, floods in spring, and a lot of things that can cause power loss for an extended period. Each of our cars also have a "Winter Kit" in it -- having been stuck in the snow once was enough!

I don't know about 35 or 50 pounds of rice, seems excessive to me, but I can't fault the idea.