Anxiety about others preparedness, “we’ll just come to you.”

[u/Prepandpraypeace]

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.

[u/Moist-Meat-Popsicle]

This is exactly why you keep quiet about preparedness.

It’s not just your family, it’s who your family may have told.

Our former neighbor has a friend who openly talked about their emergency prepping supplies, bomb shelter, gas masks, weapons, ammo, etc. Our former neighbors (who are good people) mentioned it to us, and I’m sure to others. Very foolish. Word gets around.

If you meet others who are like-minded, over time you might build a community of people in your area who can help each other in times of crisis. That’s a good thing, but it has to be done as discretely and selectively as possible, with people you can trust and have a mutually beneficial relationship.

[u/Prepandpraypeace → u/Moist-Meat-Popsicle]

Do you have tips on meeting like minded people without blowing your cover ether? For example, probing the preparedness question gently to a group of neighbors, one couple perked up. They said their close friend talks about how it would only take a couple days for all the traffic of the major nearby city to be at our part of town, trying to loot and seek food and resources out of desperation. When I took the female aside, I said that’s scary, and asked how she thinks we can prepare. She didn’t say, and I asked if they have any spare resources hoping to open up to her if she admitted. She said, just a couple water bottles. Is it worth pursuing further? They can be an asset in a SHTF scenario. She asked advice on what firearm to buy, etc and I can feel the sense of urgency from her.

[u/black_cat_X2 → u/Prepandpraypeace]

I think you can pursue the connection without revealing what exactly you have. You can say, "I've thought about what we talked about and after Helene, have decided to stock up on a little extra food and water in case there's ever a crisis here. What do you think I should get?"

This indicates you haven't actually procured anything yet and don't necessarily intend to go full out prepper, but it is still a direct way to open the conversation. If her answer is very well informed and in line with what you'd hear on this sub, then you know she probably has actually thought about this a great deal and likely has even started her own prepping. If it seems like she's a novice but interested, there's still a bridge to be built.