To prepare for the impact on its congregation with the pending closure of COS Samoa Packing and effects of the economic downturn, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is holding workshops this summer on “self reliance”.

COS Samoa Packing, the second largest private employer in the territory, is closing at the end of September this year and this is expected to impact not only company workers but other businesses that deal with the cannery.

“Our public affairs workshops this summer will focus on the self reliance of our membership,” said Rep. Galu Satele Jr., the LDS’ national community relations director. “Meaning, we are revisiting our usual programs in which our members prepare in advance and rely on themselves in cases of emergencies.”

“The church always had this program in place which deals mainly with preparation for disasters such as hurricanes, but we feel and believe that the future economic uncertainly due to the closure of one cannery and its ripple effect, makes it necessary to revisit this program now and prepare our membership for when it actually happens,” said Satele, before he left Thursday night for a conference in the Federated State of Micronesia.

“The goal of this program is to make sure our church families don’t wait for government handouts in time of emergency but to start now by preparing for the worst,” he explained. “I believe the impact of the cannery closure is taken lightly by many and there is not much message out there to inform the community to prepare in the event the situation with our economy gets worse.”

“We are now encouraging our members, through the workshops, to look at the current situation and what is expected to happen, and start saving — start preparing for the future,” he said. “Put away in reserve some money and prepare food supply for up to six months in the event families run into the problem of no food on the table during hard times.”

“Be prepared in advance — don’t sit back and wait. Start taking necessary steps now by cutting back on certain spending, live within our means and reserve for hard times,” said Satele. “We don’t want our members to be taken by surprise, although the message has been out there about the cannery closure and downturn in the economy.”

“We can expect a lot of people facing layoffs come September and this is not only at the cannery but other businesses that cater to the canneries,” said Satele, who is handling many of the workshop presentations as well as coordinating them.

He said both private and public sector representatives will be invited to speak at these workshops currently planned for the end of the month.

Satele also believes that others in the territory should follow suit with the LDS plan, by telling their membership to reserve and save and prepare for the future in the event of “difficult times”.

“We can’t expect the government to immediately step in with assistance, so residents should start by becoming more self reliant,” he added.