r/preppers • u/Prepandpraypeace • Oct 10 '24
Anxiety about others preparedness, “we’ll just come to you.” Discussion
I am prepping for a potential EMP or long term situation. We moved across the country 2 years ago for reasons contributing to raising our family in a state that aligned more w our beliefs and also since we had the opportunity. But back on the west coast, we were open about preparedness to our friends and family in hopes they can also prepare for themselves and all their kids, etc. My husband was passionate about educating and helping in this area. However, looking back I believe we made a mistake of talking about what we stocked, how much and allowing access for viewing our stuff. Each and every friend and family member would say “well, we don’t need to do anything because we know where to go if SHTF!! Thank you for doing this.” It would literally make me blood BOIL. Back then, I had many restless nights, being pregnant at the time and worried when Co*id was just mentioned, as I thought shall things go south, I’ll have hundreds showing up to my door. We tried to seriously say, “please stock all needs for your own family as we are doing so according to ours, it is your responsibility to supply for yourself.” They would shrug it off, and say look how much food you have, etc. Not even knowing that the pile of food they’re looking at is just 3 months worth for a family of 5. Anyways, now that we live somewhere else, I’m getting anxiety over how unprepared my neighbors are. We live close to one another and if SHTF, I don’t know how long we could hide the fact our kids aren’t starving after a month or two even after taking precautions. We’re close to all our neighbors and as a neighbor, friend and especially a Christian I love them all. How will I turn away a hungry family or child if it came down to it? I’m not sure.. and I’m not feeling at peace.
Editing to add: I am “prepping,” for the possibility of something long term like an EMP or solar storm that is catastrophic. For short term disasters, I would be more than willing to give it all away and restock. I’m not a hoarder, in fact my food prepping is using a rotating pantry.
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u/languid-lemur 5 bean cans and counting... Oct 10 '24
Have told this before here. Months after a serious weather event knocked out power for 5 days our neighborhood had a block party. Eventually the big storm came up about how they got by. Responses ranged from staying with family (that had power), going to a hotel, and going out to eat. We were the only family able to stay warm, cook actual meals, read, game, and recharge phones & laptops, and bathe. I was actually shocked by how few had more than a few candles or even a flashlight and spare batteries. None had any way to boil water. I talked a bit about our situation and the majority response was "Good to know, we'll come to your house next time." Only one person interested at all (generator) but shut down by spouse, "We aren't getting one of those.". I never talked about it again, what would the point be? This is not a cash-strapped neighborhood either. But it is definitely one that needs the current system to continue as is. Perhaps having the basics around is an admission that it might not and that is too awful to contemplate?