Web-based direct aid for care organisations such as food banks

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Our project is enhancing community support services by making it possible for individuals and/or organisations to directly support and provide aid to care and community organisations using a website. With reduced footfall to supermarkets and other community hubs during isolation and distancing scenarios, there is an impact on some of the most vulnerable in society -- e.g. fewer items are donated to food banks by people directly leaving goods in stores. It is well-documented in the news that many care organisations have struggled with the impact of lower donations during isolation. We are creating a website which allows care organisations to register what goods and support they need, and allow people to provide goods and pledge support. For instance people will be able to purchase specific items to be delivered by a grocer or supermarket to a food bank, or specific supplies from a retailer or wholesaler to a hospice, or pledge their time to run errands or otherwise support a retirement home. Importantly it will also provide the right aid, only targeting items that organisations are specifically requesting, relieving such organisations of the pressures of sifting through and dealing with generous but ultimately unwanted support. Our website enables the fantastic generosity and spirit of the British public to be spread widely to where it's needed most, highlighting organisations that are close to 'filling a basket' and/or have had least support -- the goal being to provide an even distribution of charity rather than seeing an oversupply to some well-loved and well-publicised institutions coupled with no supply to others. We also have a number of ways to increase engagement with the public, allowing people to receive different types of 'badges' when they donate which they may choose to share on social media, and allowing organisations to share specific lists to social media to drum up their own campaigns. Our project website of course provides a valuable resource even outside of times of isolation, making it easier to provide useful, practical support direct to the most needy organisations at all times. This can include around festivals, e.g. for donating Christmas gifts to refuges, or for donating food items for community meals and celebrations.