Cancelling food parcels for the vulnerable

KxMx

Anyone finding this system not working for them (I'm seeing many common themes) should contact their MP.
Suggestions can then be sent to the appropriate department and refinements made. 
These systems were put together with haste and at times perhaps not enough thought. 
Any improvements made will help people now and during the next pandemic (there is always a next one). 

Umiamz

I saw this today: https://bprcvs.co.uk/index.php/news-and-events/bprcvs-news/2750-how-to-cancel-government-food-parcels

Not sure whether I trust it, though. Sainsbury's vulnerable customer helpline told me they'd only cross-referenced against those who had requested help with essential deliveries...

calcotti

Umiamz said:

I saw this today: https://bprcvs.co.uk/index.php/news-and-events/bprcvs-news/2750-how-to-cancel-government-food-parcels

Not sure whether I trust it, though. Sainsbury's vulnerable customer helpline told me they'd only cross-referenced against those who had requested help with essential deliveries...

I am dubious. I initially registered saying I did have a way of getting emergency supplies and could not access priority supermarket slots. When i re registered to say I didn't have help with essential supplies I received emails from Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda within a couple of days (as well as a food parcel). It may be there was a time lag from the initial registration but i am inclined to think not.

p00hsticks

Umiamz said:

I saw this today: https://bprcvs.co.uk/index.php/news-and-events/bprcvs-news/2750-how-to-cancel-government-food-parcels

Not sure whether I trust it, though. Sainsbury's vulnerable customer helpline told me they'd only cross-referenced against those who had requested help with essential deliveries...

This is what my brother was told to do when his first unwanted food parcel arrived last week and he promptly did. He got another one yesterday......

JDPower

p00hsticks said:

Umiamz said:

I saw this today: https://bprcvs.co.uk/index.php/news-and-events/bprcvs-news/2750-how-to-cancel-government-food-parcels

Not sure whether I trust it, though. Sainsbury's vulnerable customer helpline told me they'd only cross-referenced against those who had requested help with essential deliveries...

This is what my brother was told to do when his first unwanted food parcel arrived last week and he promptly did. He got another one yesterday......

Yeah, I went back through the registration last week and unticked the food help option, and got another food parcel yesterday. Not the end of the world though as I've found a local charity that is distributing food parcels to vulnerable people locally, so I just got it picked up by them. So it is at least going to someone who DOES need it.

Umiamz

JDPower said:

Yeah, I went back through the registration last week and unticked the food help option, and got another food parcel yesterday. Not the end of the world though as I've found a local charity that is distributing food parcels to vulnerable people locally, so I just got it picked up by them. So it is at least going to someone who DOES need it.

I stuck an A4 sheet on the door saying that the food package wasn't needed this week and still got it delivered...

hb2

If you can, check your council's website. I've just had an info message from mine telling people how to cancel the food parcels and specifically saying that doing so will not affect supermarket priority deliveries.

Umiamz

hb2 said:

If you can, check your council's website. I've just had an info message from mine telling people how to cancel the food parcels and specifically saying that doing so will not affect supermarket priority deliveries.

Well, both Sainsbury's and now Tesco have told me that they only used those on the government database who had said that they needed help with essential deliveries. I suppose the question is whether the supermarkets get updated data if you change your registration. I'm still not prepared to risk it at the moment.

BooJewels

We're in exactly the same position.  Couldn't get delivery slots from supermarkets. despite filling in the form very early on, getting a letter saying we hadn't done it yet and not to forget to do so - so did it again.  Still no delivery help, so filled it in again (third time) saying we couldn't get food, then get a message from Asda and Tesco in rapid succession.  Now have a recurring fortnightly slot with Asda (won't take Tesco as well, so someone else can have it and fortnightly should mean they can accommodate more people) and am happy with that, supplemented by other local deliveries, so I can help support local suppliers.

My husband just happened to walk past the only small window that looks into our back garden yesterday and said "there's a wet cardboard box in the garden with a loaf on top" and they'd delivered it over a tall, locked gate into the garden without knocking on our front door - it was sodden and might have been there for a good while longer if we hadn't spotted it.  So we couldn't refuse it at the door, as they didn't knock, even though the enclosed letter says to do that if you don't want the parcel.  It looks to have been delivered by a food distribution service and there's no phone number on the paperwork - it hasn't come from the council.

I've never asked for a handout, we're happy to pay for whatever services we get - I'm happy to pay Asda for delivery - all we wanted was the chance to secure the opportunity, so I feel bad that I've been given food I don't really need where others are genuinely in need.  So we'll sort something with a local foodbank, if they'll collect - or I'll make a cash donation in its stead.  I too don't want to re-do the form and lose my deliveries, as we might need them for some time yet.

We have a locally responsive MP, so I might try commenting to him.  The Government have mobiled a shed load of facilities in the last month or so, but there are some flaws in the details, but it's hardly surprising in their haste to get stuff done, so I really don't want to sound ungrateful.

Splatfoot

The letter in the box does tell you how to cancel it if you don't want it.