Families wait two hours on the sidewalk and nobody can say how many are ahead. Give them a number and a time to come back.
People scan a code at the table or join from a link the night before, get a number, and come when it's close. Volunteers work the list from a phone.
Free to start. No card.
Sound familiar?
What goes wrong for food banks and nonprofits
The line forms before you open
People arrive at 6 AM for a 9 AM distribution because it is the only way to be sure. Two hours outside, with kids.
The clipboard is the system
A volunteer writes names as people arrive, the sheet gets wet, and the count for the grant report is whatever got written down.
You run out and nobody knew
The 130th household finds out there is nothing left after the wait. There was no way to say so at the door.
How it works
Three steps, food banks and nonprofits edition
Pick the ready-made list
There is one for food banks and nonprofits. Open it, change what you like, and publish. It goes live with the limits and hours a real one uses.
Put the QR code on the intake table
Or the link in your bio. People scan it, type their email, and get a number. Nothing to install.
Run the line from your phone
You see everyone in order. Tap when it is their turn; they get an email. When you are full, the form says so.
Try it
This is what your customers see
A working copy of the food pantry distribution list. Type in it, switch tabs to see the others food banks and nonprofits use. Use this template and you start from this exact setup, no account needed.
- 120 households per distribution day. The count starts over at 6:00 AM.
- Sign-ups open at 6:00 PM the evening before and close at 11:00 AM on the day, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Asks for name, phone, and household size.
- Everyone sees their number and how many are ahead on their own phone.
Harvest Table Pantry
Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Take a number the night before and come when it's close.
Why Unwaited
Made for a line, not for a survey
- A limit per distribution day that starts over each morning, so the 121st person sees full and the next date instead of waiting for nothing.
- A number on their phone, and a page that says how many are ahead. People can wait at home or in the car.
- Every entry has a time and a number, so the count for the report is one download away. No card, no cost on Free for small pantries.
FAQ
Questions
What about people without a phone or an email?
Everyone who joins needs an email address; that is how they get their number and their link. For people without one, keep a short paper list at the table and hand out numbers after the online ones, or let a volunteer join for them with the pantry's own address and a note.
Can we ask household size or dietary needs?
Yes. Add up to three questions on Free (more on paid plans): household size, a checkbox for dietary needs, a phone number. Answers show on the list and in the download.
Does it cost anything for a small nonprofit?
Free covers 100 people a month with every feature. A pantry serving 120 households a week needs Starter at $10 a month. There is no per-volunteer fee.
Related
Keep reading
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Free for 100 people a month. As many lists as you want. Your signups stay as long as you want them.
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