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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Unwanted food parcel

127 replies

Basecamp65 · 21/01/2021 11:44

Just wondered if anyone could give some advice on what to do.

Last week we found on our doorstep a bag with 2 pieces of clingfilm wrapped cheese, a cucumber, some carrots and some apples.

We thought it looked like a free school meals top up. although we have two children we do not get free meals. We asked the couple of people near us with children but none of them get free school meals.

We did not know what to do and thought that the people dropping if off had probably got the right number but wrong street - think rows of terraced houses that all look the same and have similar names. We did not know what else to do.

But it has now happened again. we simply do not know who to contact to say they are dropping it at the wrong house - obviously there is a family going without.

Any advice?

OP posts:
EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide · 21/01/2021 13:05

Cheese, carrots, cucumber and apples does not sound like a school food parcel? Surely it would contain some bread at least? Does nobody knock the door before leaving it?

Floomobal · 21/01/2021 13:06

@FortunesFave

Stacy Confused the school won't have any record of them! Why would she ask them to check their records?
They may have an address that is similar, and see they’ve been delivering to the wrong house.

Seriously, some people are so obtuse on here

justasking111 · 21/01/2021 13:08

In Wales we would contact education authority who know you educate at home. Why would the schools know?

Cherrypies · 21/01/2021 13:11

We had a parcel delivered by mistake, but there was a label on the box from the company who provided it, I called them, and they advised it belonged to the older couple across the road, this company had to local councils contract to provide the food
Is there no label, paperwork at all.

daisypond · 21/01/2021 13:13

@Givemeabreak88

Yes our local council were giving out food parcels to people who were shielding though, I think this sounds like someone random trying to do a good thing, I would leave the note though. I don’t understand why not having a garden means you can’t?
She can put a note on the door, but it’s very obvious to all passers-by. She might not want everyone who walks by her door to read that’s she’s been receiving food parcels.
RB68 · 21/01/2021 13:14

If your kids are in the lower school age group FSM are for that age group which is maybe why you got it - I would speak to the council school folk

BiBabbles · 21/01/2021 13:17

I'd post to local groups on facebook or nextdoor to help you narrow it down.

At least where I am, there are several possible primary schools and even more local groups passing out parcels recently. Have you been connected to any local resources? We're home educators that previously had "help" from the council's young carers which resulted in random stuff being dumped on us (though more dented tins and random craft books, it was weird).

soggyandwet · 21/01/2021 13:18

She can put a note on the door, but it’s very obvious to all passers-by. She might not want everyone who walks by her door to read that’s she’s been receiving food parcels.

It's nothing to be ashamed of! Anyway the OP can write a note saying that a parcel of food was delivered when they are not entitled to one so please check the address on the package.

Givemeabreak88 · 21/01/2021 13:19

I did think that about the front door thing but the note will be saying she’s NOT entitled to them and it’s a mistake so how is that embarrassing Confused

Arobase · 21/01/2021 13:20

Of course I have thought of a note on the door - its bloody obvious but we have no front garden - our door opens straight onto the street and has it has arrived on two different days of the week it might not work.

Maybe also put a note on the step in the place where they leave the parcel, taped down?

PegasusReturns · 21/01/2021 13:23

@Allispretty why bother with such an unhelpful post?

But since you have perhaps you could advise the OP who at the council you suggest she contacts?

MissMarpleDarling · 21/01/2021 13:25

Maybe someone has seen you have kids and are being kind.

m0therofdragons · 21/01/2021 13:27

District council here is supporting isolating families etc - separate to fsm food parcels but definitely coordinated by district council. Is there any reason you or your dc might be on a vulnerable list?

Whatsmyusername30 · 21/01/2021 13:27

Perhaps put a note on the door next week saying thank you but think you have the wrong address! 😀

AliceMcK · 21/01/2021 13:30

I’d email the local schools. And cc the local authority. Also as others have said post to any local fb pages. The only other option would be a note on the door. Not much else you can do x

laudete · 21/01/2021 13:31

I would suggest Facebook; most towns/neighbourhoods have a "local" FB group. Post that you have been erroneously receiving food parcels and include a photo of the items. I bet someone will recognise the contents and be able to tell you which agency is responsible. It could be... a school, a church, community/neighbours, food bank, etc.

The clingfilm wrapped cheese does make me think of some of the FSM parcels that have been in the media lately. I think a neighbour-gift would be more likely to be something more attractively packaged?

The alternative to FB, in the unlikely event that you don't have a local group/page, is probably Nextdoor. Or, pick one of your chattiest neighbours and drop them a text/note so they can suss it out for you. Also, if you home educate, you'll likely have a local HE group too - someone in that group might know if any local "food parcels for kids" type scheme has been extended to local home educators? (Unless you are totally under the radar.)

RinkyD · 21/01/2021 13:37

Cheese wrapped in clingfilm, i would not be eating any cheese not contained in a sealed bag. Could be a local poisoner...lol

Bonsai49 · 21/01/2021 13:37

I’d drop an email to your catchment school - they would probably know who’s getting parcels from their school

Bluesheep8 · 21/01/2021 13:38

Lots of suggestions for FB....what if the op isn't on FB? Not everyone is. I agree with a note taped where the parcel is being left saying " if you're delivering items of food, you've got the wrong address - I'd hate the people at the correct address to miss out, please could you check? Thank you "

Nicolastuffedone · 21/01/2021 13:39

‘Sorry! Wrong house for food parcel. Thank you’ there you go.

AliceinBunniland · 21/01/2021 13:40

Lots of suggestions for FB....what if the op isn't on FB? Not everyone is.

Then she will ignore that suggestion or open a Facebook account!

I think Facebook is mentioned as there are lots of local groups these days.

VanGoghsDog · 21/01/2021 13:41

@ZeroFuchsGiven

Why didn't You contact the school when it first happened?
She didn't know who to contact, that's why she's asking.
Givemeabreak88 · 21/01/2021 13:43

That’s what I thought about the cheese I personally wouldn’t touch anything that wasn’t sealed, even the food parcels we got from the school everything was sealed which is why I think it’s perhaps someone random thinking they are helping you rather than anywhere official

PigletJohn · 21/01/2021 13:50

Exactly the same thing happened to me. I put the meat and fruit in the fridge, asked close neighbours, and nearby roads with similar addresses, and then asked on local Facebook. It came from a local special school, one of the teachers picked it up next morning, and the driver came and apologised on his next round. I now know the house it should go to, but none of my business, really.

cate16 · 21/01/2021 13:50

@MissMarpleDarling

Maybe someone has seen you have kids and are being kind.
Could be this. What time of day is it left?

We have a local food-for-all type place once a week, and at the end of their day they will give out the perishables to anyone to save them going to waste. They may just drop a bag as they know there's children in the house.