Food parcels

[GinnyE]

Good morning. I have registered with the Government website and they have given my name to the supermarkets and so ASDA have now given me a regular weekly home delivery slot. Great. However, the government site must link into these weekly food parcels that DEFRA are doing and so today I've had a box delivered. The man wouldn't take it back, and I'm worried if I go on the Government website to say I don't need it that I'll loose the ASDA slot! I guess it's a belt and braces job overlap. Any suggestions? Is this happening to anyone else? Feel guilty now.

[Ruth12345]

Hi. We got one out of the blue the other day. We took 5 things out then rang the food bank to come and collect tbe rest. Which they did within 2hours. However we havent managed to get a supermarket slot yet. Get food delivery from wholsaler who is doing home deliveries, so sorry cant answer the query if you loose it but if you dont find out maybe give it to food bank. We are still in shock that we got one so have yet to workout what to do. Really could do with supermarket delivery.

Good luck with finding out.....sorry that was woffly just to suggest give food to food bank.....brain all over the place today 🌈

[Lolabridge]

I've had exactly the same happen to me too and I felt guilty about receiving the emergency food box. It was unexpected and had just been left on my doorstep without anyone ringing my doorbell or knocking on the door to let me know.

As the box contained some perishables I decided to share out the contents with my neighbours who are all elderly or vulnerable.

I have updated my record on the gov.uk website so I don't receive another food parcel but, like you, I'm concerned that I may now get crossed off the list for getting supermarket deliveries. I had already booked some for the next couple of weeks and am going to try to book ahead today as far as I can. Otherwise, I will have to make a nuisance of myself with the local support network and get their volunteers to do all my shopping. I will hate that as I try to be as independent as I can and not need to prevail upon others unnecessarily.

[GinnyE in reply to Lolabridge]

Perhaps you can go back onto the government website and change it back again.? I’m going to see if I can get the food parcels cancelled via council. Failing that I’ll give it to the food bank.

[sunnyweek]

When I registered on the government website I ticked that I had help via friends/family with shopping. A cousin periodically helps so I felt I did have help. However I have received an email from Asda saying they've been notified I am vulnerable so can get slots. So I don't think you will lose your slots. I still need slots as my help isn't always consistent. I believe you only receive the box if you indicate you have no help for deliveries.

[Stayloose in reply to sunnyweek]

It's a trial there isn't a slot for inconsistent help. Tesco only offer slots if you declare no help. Sainsbury's won't let you register. Asda...maybe they will deliver, in all senses. Good you are sorted. 😁

[sunnyweek in reply to Stayloose]

I hope you are sorted too. Asda's first available slot is 8th May so I've booked it. I'm trying to find small local shops who deliver, I like to help them and prefer their fresh fruit and veg. Some though are only collect but I'm persevering!

I hope you are managing with help and deliveries and lockdown, it does take time. Best wishes x

[GinnyE]

Thanks. Will give it to food bank or try your suggestions.

[lornaisobel]

Send your box to me I haven't had anything Im getting so thin so send your box to me or tell me how you got a home delivery slot I cant get one of those either but the box will do for a starter - I live in cumbria xx

[GinnyE in reply to lornaisobel]

So sorry. Cant understand why there us such a difference in different areas

[Lolabridge in reply to lornaisobel]

The other thing you could try is to ring your local council and ask for help. I understand that in England the town/district councils have become the first port of call for getting in touch with the volunteers to help you by getting you shopping, medicines etc. If you are of a certain age then Age UK will also help you. If you are on Facebook there is probably a local community page that may advertise other ways of getting help.

Good luck!

[KittyJ in reply to lornaisobel]

Lorna I’m shocked you still haven’t got any food. If you go online and search for food deliveries in your area you should be able to get something. Lots of smaller shops are doing deliveries and around here there is a list of shops that will now deliver, not just the big supermarkets. I would also do as has been suggested and ring your council and nearest supermarket explaining you’ve registered and haven’t heard anything. No one should be getting thin because they can’t get food. If you need any help please message me and I’ll do what I can x

[KittyJ in reply to lornaisobel]

Lorna have you tried these

lakesspecialityfoods.co.uk/

Or ring Morrison’s

newsandstar.co.uk/news/1838...

Plus the Co-op- are doing deliveries too. 🤞🏻 for you, there is help out there x

[mhlmom in reply to lornaisobel]

While I was waiting for my shielding letter to arrive and the official help to start, I called Tesco customer services and said I had been told by GP and rheumatologist to shield and after 3 weeks was getting desperate. I live very rurally and have no neighbours and no family nearby. The kind lady did something to my account and said the try booking a slot the following morning. I tried and there were 5 slots for the next day. It was a one off but it saw me through. Thankfully my letter arrived and the Scottish system seems quite efficient so I can get slots with Asda, Sainsbury’s and Tesco now. Definitely worth trying to call the supermarkets directly.

[GinnyE in reply to mhlmom]

Glad you got sorted out x

[lornaisobel in reply to mhlmom]

tried phoning Tesco and morrisons but no luck

[mhlmom in reply to lornaisobel]

Sorry to hear that ☹️

[lornaisobel]

Yes Ive had the letter end of March registered three times on gov site - nothing

[Hidden in reply to lornaisobel]

Our local county council ( Derbyshire ) have a link which takes you to a form to fill in if you need help. They rang me back within 24 hours to find out our needs. Maybe your county council might also offer help.

[Ruth12345 in reply to lornaisobel]

Some of the whole salers have taken on home delivery as no hotels etc to deliver to. We get 2, one for meat tins and even flour and yeast the other all fresh fruit veg eggs cheese etc. We just ring and 2 days later they deliver. Fresh food company charge £3 delivery. But other one doesnt charge. There is a minimum order amount from them tho. However that doesnt cover everything so could do with supermarket slot, but it really helps and we get by quite well. Try going online and see whats around your area. One is 40 miles away and still comes.

Good luck 🌈

[Rosie_rabbit]

The same happened to me. I registered online ticking the box that I needed help as I thought this would allow me to get shopping slots. There are 5 of us at home which is too much to ask others to shop for. I got the shopping slots and the following week a good parcel. I immediately went online to re register on the government website Saying I didn’t need help but a week later got another box which we’ve sent to local food bank. I told the man who delivered it I didn’t need them and he said he’d note it. I really hope I don’t lose the slots. So far we’ve still got them with Asda and Tesco. Fingers crossed!!

[GinnyE in reply to Rosie_rabbit]

🤞

[lornaisobel in reply to Rosie_rabbit]

send your boxes to me in cumbria

[GinnyE in reply to lornaisobel]

I would if I could. Get in touch with DEPRA perhaps? x

[Tillie20]

Hi it is the same with me I spoke to the someone in our council when they called to check if I needed any help and explained I did not require the food parcels I have tried to cancel them but she told me if you cancel on the gov website they might take you off the home deal slots so just except them and give to a food bank at the supermarket I hope this hells

[GinnyE]

I have found a food bank who will pick them up every week.

[Poshcards]

I have a priority slot now after registering online, but not had a food box, so we don't all get them x