I imagine that the impulse to "hoard" is similar to any other dysfunctional human response to stress. Some part of the mind just decided that there is safety in numbers. So as a transition specialist, I come across this behavior from time to time. It is more common that I realized. What happened to that person that they feel like lots and lots of stuff will keep them safe? I wonder if it is like me when I overeat. It's eerily similar, isn't it.