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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not know how to feed my family!

129 replies

Rosehip345 · 28/03/2020 17:25

We’re luckily not in the position yet. I can manage for another week I think.
I have four kids under 6, and I’m on my own. We don’t fit the criteria for vulnerable delivery slots, plus can’t actually get one.
How am I supposed to get any shopping?!!! Can’t take the kids in, can’t leave them outside, can’t get delivery!

OP posts:
Livelovebehappy · 28/03/2020 17:58

Do you have a local shop? We have some round here which sell everything. Might cost slightly more, so you might have to be inventive with the stuff you buy. Local shops as far as I know still allow children in, and it’s just supermarkets that don’t.

FuckIngMaxandhisImportance · 28/03/2020 18:00

Just got a Sainsbury’s online delivery slot for Monday. They are beginning to meet demand so keep checking!

HasaDigaEebowai · 28/03/2020 18:02

Can you get a click and collect slot and then you don't need to leave the car?

modgepodge · 28/03/2020 18:07

Are you sure you can’t take the kids in to a supermarket? I’ve heard lots of rumours of supermarkets not allowing kids in but I saw quite a few inside Tesco when I went yesterday (some with 2 parents so presumably not actually necessary either!)

Roselilly36 · 28/03/2020 18:08

I had a leaflet put through my door today from a community group offering help. Check fb or local church groups that often have volunteers that will help you at this difficult time.

emmathedilemma · 28/03/2020 18:08

Keep checking for delivery or click & collect slots. I booked a delivery last Friday and first I could get was 3 weeks away and nothing in my parent's area, but happened to look again yesterday and got us both click & collect for Friday / Saturday next week. Also check local farm shops, butchers, even restaurants have branched out into doing food deliveries.

Karen0099 · 28/03/2020 18:08

I used beelivery.com and got essentials delivered home , slightly expensive but they deliver in 1-3 hrs

AddressLabel · 28/03/2020 18:08

How these neighbourhood things work in terms of payment? I personally don’t carry cash on me.

alloutoffucks · 28/03/2020 18:09

Have you actually checked local shops or are you just going by reports on here? ALDI don't seem to be doing this. Check first, it might not be an issue where you live.

AvoidingRealHumans · 28/03/2020 18:12

Are children actually not allowed in supermarkets now or is this just a rumour? I have read it on here but haven't heard of it anywhere else. Obviously if there is another adult/suitable person in the house then only one adult should go and leave kids behind but surely someone with no choice (me) would have to take their children in.

TiredofSM · 28/03/2020 18:13

@AddressLabel our one (3 streets) asked the neighbour in need to transfer money to the group ‘leader’. We then took a picture of the receipt and she transferred to cash to us. All done using PayPal, so any money not used was returned to the neighbour.
Ours has been busy but because there are lots of us on it we’ve all not been out yet. It was started using a leaflet through the door.

Pasithea · 28/03/2020 18:13

We have three vulnerable people here and cannot get a delivery. Can’t even get through on phone.

Wishandwonder · 28/03/2020 18:14

Surely the common sense approach needs to be adopted here. The guidance is essential journeys only. Buying food is essential. If you don’t have anyone to look after your children you will just have to take them with you. If you are nervous about going to the shop and having to discuss this with the manager in front of others why not give them a call before you go and explain the situation so they know to expect you.

SpaceCadet4000 · 28/03/2020 18:14

@AddressLabel everyone in my neighbourhood is using Venmo or Paypal as we want to avoid exchanging cash.

BreatheAndFocus · 28/03/2020 18:16

Try your local parish magazine editor for lists of local individuals who could help.

Try your local shop and googling for veg/meat/dairy delivery boxes from independent local firms.

Try a local milkman. Many do extras like veg, potatoes, sausages, bread, juice, etc

cologne4711 · 28/03/2020 18:17

If you are rural are there any farm shops near you? There is one about 6 miles from us that is doing click and collect - and deliveries for vulnerable people. It might be a bit expensive but you could get some items.

HyacynthBucket · 28/03/2020 18:18

Someone on here earlier in the week mentioned about Morrisons doing pre-made-up boxes - one version for vegetarians, another for meat eaters for £35. I got one (delivered quite quickly) and it has been a life safer as neither I nor dP can go out right now, and we are rural as well. Good selection of basics and other foods and household things. I was so glad to have it, will last the two of us over a week.

Dickorydockwhatthe · 28/03/2020 18:19

I've ordered from the local butchers and milkman for bread, milk and dairy. My local shop are doing a collection delivery service and get most things in. This will tie over until my online comea in 3 weeks time. If you drive maybe you could do a click and collect xx

SinkGirl · 28/03/2020 18:23

If you’re rural I expect you don’t have Deliveroo or Uber Eats where you are but in case it’s useful for anyone else, both these services in our area have delveries from the local co-op. It’s a bloody expensive way to shop but in an emergency it’s very useful (like when we all had norovirus and couldn’t move!)

I hope you get something sorted, it’s hard enough without this worry. I’ve watched my neighbours son once this week while she’s gone to the shop but he’s stayed in his garden and me in mine. With younger kids this is not such an option though.

ButtonandPickle19 · 28/03/2020 18:28

You may be on your own but could you not ask their dad(s) to help?

ilovemyrednosedaymug · 28/03/2020 18:29

if you are rural, then contact your local parish council, if you aren't on facebook then join it and look for local businesses and local facebook pages for your area. Look to see if shops in the nearest town are delivering, or if your local pub or cafe has turned into a shop and is delivering essentials, which a lot of them here are doing.

There are so many people out there offering help to so many people and there is so much help out there to get food to everyone.

I helped a friend in another UK country today, hook up with local businesses nearby for her family member who is in a nearby town. She has now got him meat and veg deliveries.

It is all out there, if you can find it.

catgirl1976 · 28/03/2020 18:30

Are any of your local shops delivering? Our local butcher, fruit shop and corner shop are (they don't normally but they are now ) - worth checking?

Lobo · 28/03/2020 18:30

Have a look on a locals facebook page. We are semi rural and a number of businesses that delivered to restaurants are now doing home deliveries for veg boxes and meat. If your in Lancashire Ribble Farm Fare are doing home delivery.

JemimaPuddleCat · 28/03/2020 18:31

What about your husband?

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