For the bulky stuff, plastic totes are good. I have put stuff in plastic totes, but I have also placed some of the smaller items that I might need to get to faster in a soft side ice chest (6-12 pack size).

First aid kit, radio, flash light, poncho, multitool, matches, whistle, hand sanitizer, a little money in change ... are in the cooler. The cooler rides up front.

If you have to go light, the cooler has a shoulder strap.

If not, a small cooler can come in handy for it's intended purpose if you want to buy some milk for the kids.