Project Description
El Buen Samaritano (EBS) is a volunteer-based, non-profit food pantry fighting food insecurity in Worcester for over three decades. The food pantry will serve anybody who needs assistance.
After many years of using a pen-and-paper system to track client demographic information, EBS collaborated with a past IQP team in 2023 to explore a new data collection system using PantrySoft. This new software could enable EBS to gather and track data for funders and share important demographics and impact reports with funders.
However, due to a lack of adjustment time after the IQP was over, PantrySoft was not fully integrated into EBS’s workflow. The volunteers still rely on paper forms to track clients, which are then manually copied into PantrySoft one by one. With sometimes 100 new families a week, a lot of some volunteers’ time is spent copying over the form information. EBS would like to explore the possibility of eliminating paper forms, paving the way for a fully digital system and that allows volunteers to report more accurate data to funders and dedicate more time serving the community.
Project Sponsor
Founded in 1991, El Buen Samaritano (EBS) serves as a food pantry for primiarily Latinx and immigrant residents of Worcester’s Main South and Main Middle neighborhoods. Maricelis “Mari” Gonzalez is currently the executive director and primary leader of the organization. The mission of EBS is to offer aid to families seeking assistance, regardless of background.
EBS provides various services, including organized food drives, winter coat drives, bi-weekly vaccine clinics, translation services for Spanish speakers, and resources for SNAP/WIC applications. EBS is partnered with the Worcester County Food Bank and with organizations such as the National Honor Society, Toys for Tots, SNAP, and educational institutions like Holy Cross, Clark, and WPI.
Student Researchers
Adrian Asante (Class of 2025) – Adrian is a BS in Aerospace Engineering with a focus on astronautics. At school, he spends most of his time collaborating on homework with his friends, and he is considering going for a masters in aerospace. Outside of school, Adrian enjoys listening and making music, working on projects around the house, playing video games, and having fun with my friends.
Meena Meyyappan (Class of 2024) – Meena is a BS Society, Technology, and Policy major with a focus in data science and law. At WPI, she is an active member of Chi Omega and rides with the WPI Equestrian team. Outside of classes, Meena enjoys exploring Google Maps, rating Disney Channel Original Movies, watching airplanes land, and raising Monarch butterfly caterpillars.
Olivia Perez (Class of 2025/26) – Olivia is a BS/MS computer science major with a personal focus in software engineering. At WPI, she is most involved with Event Crew at the Student Activities Office and being an officer of the Society of Martial Artists. Outside of classes, Olivia enjoys martial arts, cooking, studying linguistics, and going to events with friends.
Christian Piper (Class of 2026) – Christian is a BS/MS robotics engineering major with a focus on autonomous and embedded systems. At WPI, he is the president of the SCUBA diving club and treasurer of the ski and snowboard and cue sports clubs. He also partakes in Outing club events and is a member of the Massachusetts Alpha chapter of Tau Beta Pi. Outside of classes, Christian enjoys SCUBA diving, skiing, and working on personal projects.
Project Goal and Objectives
Project Goal: Improve efficiency of client tracking
Project Objectives:
- Analyze current workflow of EBS
- Confirm acceptable parameters for ARPA funding
- Research solutions to improve efficiency of client tracking
- Suggest possible workflow and food distribution layout changes
- Assist with training volunteers to realize changes
Final Report and Deliverables
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