Its a really good idea to have a number of items on hand to help you prepare a meal.  While I am not a big fan of canned and packaged foods, I also understand that in the course of Human events they do become necessary.  Here is a list of items I recommend you have on hand:

Canned Vegetables

  Whole tomatoes

  Tomato sauce

  Tomato paste

  Sweet potatoes

  Artichoke hearts

  Chilies

  Flavored, diced canned tomatoes (i.e., basil and oregano)

  Corn

  Mushrooms

  Peas

  Pumpkin

Canned Beans

  Cannellini beans

  Black beans

  Red beans

  Green beans

  Chickpeas

  Baked beans

Canned Meats and Seafood

  Tuna, packed in oil or water

  Anchovies

  Minced clams

  Chicken

  Pink or red salmon

  Crabmeat

Soup, Stew, Chili and Broth

  Chicken, vegetable and beef broths

  Creamed soups - mushroom, broccoli, asparagus, potato, chowder and celery

  Canned soups - chicken noodle, tomato, vegetable, minestrone, split pea, French onion and beef vegetable

  Canned chili - available in a variety of flavors, such as beef, vegetable, chicken, turkey, spicy and Mexican

Canned Fruits

  Dark cherries

  Whole-berry cranberry sauce

  Mandarin oranges

  Pineapple

  Pears

  Apricots

  Pineapple

  Peaches

  Fruit cocktail

Nuts and Nut Products

  Almond paste

  Shelled nuts

  Peanut butter

Herbs and Spices

  Salt

  Red pepper

  Black pepper

  Rosemary

  Oregano

  Paprika

  Chili powder

  Cinnamon

  Thyme

  Curry powder

  Cumin

Staples

  White and brown rice

  Couscous

  Pasta in a variety of shapes and sizes

  Baking powder

  Baking soda

  Corn starch

  Evaporated milk

  All-purpose flour

  White, brown and confectioners' sugar

  Coffee

  Tea

  Olive oil

  Wine vinegars

Miscellaneous

  A variety of flavors of jams and jellies

  Olives

  Water chestnuts

  Bottled water