I did the same thing - but for my dad's hurricane bag, not an entire congregation. I suspect the requirements are similar.
Batteries
- AA Lithium primary (non-rechargeable) batteries.
- One major requirement was a long shelf life. I don't trust alkaline batteries not to leak and my dad didn't want to have to deal with rechargeable batteries.
- You can get Lithium primaries in AA, AAA, and CR123. But if there was a long-term power outage, emergency relief organizations are more likely to hand out AA and AAA than CR123.
- Stress they shouldn't save money and go with Alkaline. These flashlights will be in the kit, not in daily use, so they won't be going through batteries.
Lights
- There are lots of suitable AA LED lights.
- I assume you are providing your congregation with a suggested shopping list, not the actual kits. I would suggest providing a list of 2-3 lights in 1xAA, 2xAA and 4xAA sizes. They can let their individual budget inform their decision.
- Make sure the lights are available at Amazon and/or at the big box hardware stores. (No waiting for lights from China like many of us do.)
- An easy to use User Interface would be better. You don't want to have to read the flashlight manual in an emergency.
- 1xAA
- There are a number multi-packs (typically 5-packs) of cheap 1xAA zommie lights. Congregants can go in together and get these for about $3 each.
- For better lights, pick several off of these reviews:
- AA/14500-flashlights Review Guide (single and multiple battery)
- I Bought EVERY Flashlight at Home Depot!
- I Bought EVERY Flashlight at Bass Pro!
For my dad I got:
- One Lumintop SD4A flashlight
- 4xAA batteries
- Two buttons, one for on/off and one for modes. No complicated interface (fast/slow, double/triple clicks) to remember.
- 4 regular modes, blinkies are hidden
- Several Jetbeam, JET-1 MK flashlights
- 1xAA
- Twist on, twist off, no buttons, no complicated interface
- 3 regular modes