Service Insights is a free, easy-to-use online platform designed specifically for client intake at food pantries to record each service provided to community members. This intake system allows your pantry to collect household data electronically, in real-time, enabling you to have a more complete, accurate, and up-to-date understanding of who you are serving and how you impact your community.
The system also satisfies all TEFAP reporting requirements, eliminating the required annual signature form. Training and ongoing support, as well as technology needs, are provided by the Food Bank. And the best part? This service is free to all Food Bank partners!
Your staff/volunteers fill out an intake form collecting basic demographic information about your clients and enter this data into the Service Insights website using a computer or tablet. After the household information is entered, the client gives a “verbal signature,” attesting to the TEFAP guidelines, instead of physically signing a paper TEFAP form. Once a client is added to the system, checking them in for return visits is quick and easy! Plus, the Food Bank can provide necessary technology, such as a laptop or tablet, on an as-needed basis, free of charge!
Please note that all personal data is protected, using the same level of encryption as in banking software. No information will ever be shared outside of our Partner network.
Service Insights has benefits for everyone involved! Overall, the goal is to learn more about the community members that the Food Bank and our network of partner agencies serve so that we can work together to better meet their needs. Over time, this information will help inform the Food Bank’s strategies to eliminate hunger in our region, an effort we could not do without our Partner network! Plus, your pantry can benefit from:
Less paperwork saves time during intake
plus, monthly service numbers get reported automatically.
Convenient access to accurate data and reports
to help with grant applications and fundraising efforts.
Help guide food ordering
keeping your neighbors’ dietary needs in mind.
Onboarding to Service Insights is a simple four-stage process. Before onboarding, your pantry will need to complete an interest form to sign up for our waitlist. Once your pantry is at the top of the list, our team will contact you to begin the process as follows.
This is a short virtual meeting for us to learn more about your pantry and your current intake system, and a chance for you to ask any questions you may have. At the end of the meeting, we will schedule a time to conduct your Service Insights Training.
A team member will visit your pantry to present a live, in-person demonstration of the platform with all the volunteers and staff who participate in client intake. At the end of the training, your pantry will have access to a Service Insights training environment for you to practice the intake process. During this time, your pantry has the option to also collect client info using a provided form to prepare you for the next stage of going “live”.
To “go live” simply means that your pantry has a live, active account on the Service Insights platform where you will be conducting real-time client intake. One way your pantry can go live is to preload client information by collecting and entering forms ahead of time. The other option is to start fresh, performing on-the-spot intake on a specified distribution day. Whichever option you choose will be completely up to what is best and feasible for your pantry. Lastly, on your go-live day, you will have technology provided to you to conduct client intake and a team member at your pantry to support you.
Once your pantry is live and has collected sufficient administrative data, a team member will conduct an overview and training of all the reporting features built into your live account. This training will cover data reports such as household characteristics, service trends, demographics, geography, and more. The Food Bank’s Service Insights Team will continue to support your pantry and its Service Insights-related needs beyond completion of the onboarding process. Please feel free to contact our team via email for support, questions, or concerns.
Interested in signing up for our waitlist, or just want to learn more? Leave a message below and one of our Service Insights team members will reach out!
