We were like you Marydoll and decided not to accept one but it's very good to know it's available for people in real need. It's free as far as I know. We looked at the contents online and apart from the "tuna alternative" for vegetarians, it was great.
The same thing happened to me in Scotland. Someone from the local council phoned to see if I needed a food box, as I hadn't signed up for one. I decline, as I was managing to get delivery slots. However, I was advised to phone the dedicated helpline, if I changed my mind. It seemed very well organised.
It must be different in Wales. I didn't have to register but had already had The Letter, but a nice young woman from the Council phoned me to ask if I was all right, did need a volunteer to fetch medication and would i like a food box.
I declined as we have managed to get grocery spots and our neighbours will bring us extras eg milk and eggs.. I said I'd rather it went to someone in need but didn't rule out the possibility if it's us in need week.
It’s marvellous really ...There is certainly plenty to make meals with: Bread and little mini cartons of margarine and jam. Baked beans and Heinz soup. Pasta and Dolmio sauce. Uncle Bens Rice, tinned tuna and tinned meat. A bag of potatoes and bag carrots. Oranges and apples Loo rolls and long life milk. Digestive biscuits. Small quantities of teabags and instant coffee. Hand wash, shower gel or surface cleaner. The combinations vary slightly from week to week.
It may not be quite what you’re used to, but it’s decent quality and quite comprehensive. We’re really grateful. Anything we don’t use, we donate ...
If there's a choice between not eating and going hungry or having one of those boxes, I'd choose...er, let me think (cous cous, tho? ..OK, we live in challenging times,I'll give it a go,if I must..) Thanks a lot for the info.
GrauntyHelen is exactly right on the contents. We have had the food boxes for 4 weeks. I tried to stop them but was told I had to re-register on the Govt website as not needing help with food. I was most concerned that would undermine my priority status for supermarket delivery slots (I am shielding) and couldn’t manage without the supermarket slots.
We accept the food boxes and anything we can’t use (there’s lots of breakfast cereal for example and we don’t eat it), we save up and donate to the Food Bank. These donations have been gratefully received.
basic food supplies shower gel and toilet roll (2) according to Scottish gov site I imagine other countries in uk will be same :Bread milk potatoes tinned meat fruit veg biscuits cereal soup baked beans coffee tea rice or noodles or cous cous tuna chopped tomatoes fresh fruit cooking sauce pasta coffee and tea bags