[ColcordMama]

What would you do if people, not looters, not threats, showed up at your door starving? Are you prepared to deal with that? What if they had kids with them? I've thought about this long and hard. My solution is to stockpile those cases (I think 24 packages to a case) of Ramen noodles, the ones you can get for something like $1.50 a case at Wal-Mart right now. Hey, if nobody ever shows up, we can always eat it, but if I need to share with someone desperately hungry, I can. Those noodles aren't the greatest thing in the world, but they could provide someone with a hot filling meal for no other investment than water and a cooking fire.

I don't think I have it in me to turn away someone who is just plain hungry. Thoughts, please. And be reasonable, folks. Could you really truly be so hard hearted as to let a child starve?

[heysmithy]

I'm right with you Kay. I dont think I could turn away a starving person... I'm really a softy. I pick up hitchhikers when I see em, I give homeless people money... And I would act the same way in a survival scenario. But I do realize that can and will work against me should the s**t ever hit the fan. Thats one of the reasons I would prefer to just disappear into the woods. I don't want to see the horrid things that happen to good, honest people when there is no more laws and its "every man for himself".

[tjwilhelm]

Good idea Kay! Those Ramen noodles are pretty inexpensive, in case lots. You could almost think of it as stockpiled trick-or-treat supplies.

I, too, have pondered this same question. It's tricky. Have you ever read the kid's book titled "If You Give a Moose a Muffin?" If you do give away a cheap ramen meal, you may never get rid of these visitors, or the word of your generosity may spread and then you end up with more visitors than you can handle.

I think this subject came up once in the past, and someone wisely suggested that you could donate to a local food pantry, and direct people there for their meals. This takes the focus off of you and your personal stash.

[weirdbeard]

I don't think I could turn starving people away.., But it very well could end up being a (stray cat) situation. You feed that poor little kitty and then its stays around. Then somehow theirs a dozen starving kitties looking to you for food.

[Bridog]

Exactly TJ. If you give some poor starving people some ramen, then they will tell other poor starving people. Then those people will come to your house, and you will give them food. Then you will have more people coming to your house then you have food, and a riot could ensue, mostly because they will see the other food and supplies you have stockpiled.

On the other spectrum, it would be very hard for me not to give away food, but my family's survival is much higher then theirs. Although I might place some food where they surely would find it but never know I placed it there.

[Wolf]

Colcordmama

Good for you. If the world had more people like you it would be a better place.

I won't turn away a hungry person either. You know why?

What if it were me starving ? What if it were my loved ones ? And what if it were any of you on this forum who were away from your hords of food and supplies when TSHTF? You could be travelling when diaster strikes and be left with only what you are wearing and far from home. All the supplies you have home now are miles away and no good to you. Then you may very well have to rely on the kindness of someone else to survive.

I don't keep extra food just for that reason, but if I need to share some then I will have to find a way to obtain more somehow. It's as simple as that.

[cowgirlup]

The problem is that they now will know you have food. And, they're not stupid enough to think you're eating Ramen too if you're giving it away. They will be back. They will bring "friends". Now what will you do? Shoot that nice family you just fed??

There is no easy or right answer. Everyone should have a plan for this in advance.

That's why I think the food pantry or anyplace giving aid is a good plan. It takes the focus off you and your location.

I remember my dad telling how my grandma always had a biscuit and coffee for the men wandering thru during the depression. They would be appreciative and then move on. I don't feel most people are that honorable anymore. Not in SHTF situation.

[Celticwarrior]

Originally Posted by cowgirlup

The problem is that they now will know you have food. And, they're not stupid enough to think you're eating Ramen too if you're giving it away. They will be back. They will bring "friends". Now what will you do? Shoot that nice family you just fed??

There is no easy or right answer. Everyone should have a plan for this in advance.

That's why I think the food pantry or anyplace giving aid is a good plan. It takes the focus off you and your location.

I remember my dad telling how my grandma always had a biscuit and coffee for the men wandering thru during the depression. They would be appreciative and then move on. I don't feel most people are that honorable anymore. Not in SHTF situation.

Sadly, I have to concur. I don't see people accepting some meager offering and moving on. I see them staying for the next meal, and the next, and hey what about my brother and his family, and you got any milk with that, or what ELSE do you have? I can't eat wheat flour noodles!

You say 'yes' once, you said it for good. Sorry. I think I have to say "move along" if someone comes wanting food, child in tow or not.

[TnLonghunter]

It really would be hard to turn people away, but,!!! You or I can't help everyone or then we are in the same boat that we have tried to prepare to stay out of.
Food banks sound good, again," but". Don't you think that would be one of the first places the unprepared would loot. This is part of being prepared, making the tough decisions, this would be one that could leave us at risk if we did make the wrong choice!

[Celticwarrior]

Originally Posted by NorthWet

Wish I could disagree, but logically I can't.

When I lived in the middle of nowhere I would get hikers etc. clearly down on their luck. I made the mistake of providing them a meal, figuring it would at least get them to the next town/church. In all but one instance, something was stolen from the property within the following 24 hours. Their own personal SHTF and I was a have to their have not ...

DH and I have talked about this off and on. Think we've decided to have a pot of grass soup (maybe even spiced with grasshoppers ) on the stove. Make it look like we have nada. If they are hungry enough they might stick around for A meal but then move on to some place with real food ...

The world has taught me not to flinch in turning away an adult but a child ... I dunno if I could do that so a back up plan is in order.

We also picked up some clothes at garage sales which are larger than what we wear, look used etc. This way, when everyone around us is losing weight, even if we aren't, we can look like we are making us a bit less suspicious ... the best defense is sometimes a good offense ...

I plan on having a couple of cans of this around and shake my head, saying I'm down to my last couple of them, but they are welcome to take one with them.....