How the heck do I get groceries to my parents?

[Blurpblorp]

They live 100 miles away from me. Both in mid- seventies, Dad had (has?) cancer and mum has diabetes and has always had a weak respiratory system (whenever she gets any kind of cough or cold it hits her hard). They're not registered for any online supermarket shopping and Sainsbury's aren't accepting new registrations. I've tried to call their helpline but even that says try back later. All Asda and Tesco's delivery and even click and collect slots in their area are booked up for the foreseeable future. I'm considering doing a big shop and driving up there just to drop it off at their door but scared in case I infect them. Also am I likely to be challenged by the Police as to why I'm driving?

They don't quite qualify for the GOV.UK vulnerable people category which means Sainsbury's would prioritise them (and anyway they're not even registered there).

There is perhaps someone nearby that I can ask to pop some essentials round but I know my parents would get annoyed with me doing this... What can I do? Any tips at all? They're quite cavallier about it and I'm scared they'll venture into a busy supermarket and catch it.

Check Facebook groups in their local area; lots of my local shops are doing delivery services. There may also be community Facebook groups who have volunteers to deliver shopping to vulnerable people.

Use the person nearby to drop off some essentials. See if there's a local veg box scheme which is taking on new customers. If they are annoyed, so be it, but your conscience will be clear.

Most local authorities are organising something for people with no one else to get them groceries you just have to ring them.

If theY live in an area with a Booths nearby then Booths are doing deliveries for people with no other means if getting food delivered.

Check Tesco online at 11.58pm and keep refreshing.

Also Ocado released some slots today so check those every now and then over the next couple of days.

I have the same issue with my elderly Dad. Slots do become available if you can time it right.

I work for a local council in northern Ireland. Our community teams have been pulling together information about stores across our borough (in addition to the big stores) doing home delivery which we have been publicising on our website and through the community database.

We have also responded to random contacts from adult children like yourself concerned about elderly parents. Plus we have signposted to volunteer and community groups in our ar a, plus churches who are working together.

Would the council area your parents live in be doing anything similar?

Second facebook groups. Some business nearby will likely be doing deliveries.

Otherwise, an M&S box?

Try Iceland they have been great for our parents

Have you tried Iceland? They include state pension age as being a priority. I haven't tried them but they are my back up plan if I become unable to get food to my parents.

Have you tried our local farm shop,many are doing deliveries

I would do a big shop and take it to them. If you put it all in bags that they can bring it into the house wearing gloves unpack it wearing gloves and wash anything that's needed to be washed. There is no possibility of your infecting them if you don't actually go into the house with them. You can drop it all off on the doorstep for them.

Great minds Pixie!

Your

Ugh us too - MIL is 400 miles away, 80 years old but isn’t ‘shielded’ or anything. I cannot get her an online delivery slot at all. There isn’t a volunteer group that I can find in the area. Had to ring an acquaintance of hers to ask her to get groceries for her on the end but feels a bit much to ask her to do it week in, week out - the poor woman is a nurse working full time so busy enough! - I’m going to try ringing farm shops & independent greengrocers this week to see if any are doing deliveries, might that work for you?

Look on the Mutual Aid Facebook group or council coronavirus response website for your parents' area and sign them up as needing shopping support. The Facebook groups are likely to also have information about local farm shops, groceries, butchers etc who will take an order over the phone and deliver. That's how I've got my parents stocked up with fresh produce, dairy, bread and meat.

One of my parents lives more than 100 miles away. We've been getting online deliveries and driving food down there to drop at the door each week. It's not ideal but we're being VERY careful and I figure it's better than them venturing to the supermarket themselves 🤷‍♀️ it's hard though

I would take a large shop over myself, enough to last a number of weeks for them. It's essential!

I would stock them up now and then look into local options help them top up with fresh things. That will put your mind at rest that they won't starve

Company called Parsleybox taking new customers. Meals don’t need to be in fridge or frozen. Just kept in a cupboard.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned the Morrisons box. It's pre packed, so no choice but it's something.

Here the town council/ parish church /and local covid19 mutual aid Facebook groups could all help. There are also many local food companies eg farm shops , butchers and restaurant suppliers doing local deliveries. Details available from the same sources.

Try the local church. All churches I know are helping the vulnerable by doing deliveries I'm sure there would be one local to your parents that would help.

Contact their council as well as the person nearby. Better for them to be annoyed with you than to starve.

If you are registered with Sainsbury's (or any supermarket) you could do the shop and get it delivered to them. Otherwise local shops or small businesses. Even our local Spar's have started a delivery service. Milk and more? Or try and find a local milk man on Facebook. Our local council also has a number for vulnerable people to contact for food deliveries etc. Alongside numerous community groups in the area. Facebook is your friend here I think. Our local group is flooded with information on community groups giving food out and local businesses or just local people wanting to offer help.

Groups all over the U.K. on here:

covidmutualaid.org/

Check asda website just before midnight for slots. Get morrisons essential box or m &s.