dsmHack’s Inaugural Hackathon Addressing Food Insecurity
Overview
dsmHack, an organization uniting tech volunteers to assist nonprofits, is launching a unique hackathon aimed at tackling food insecurity in the Greater Des Moines area.
Event Details
On September 10, a meeting took place at DMARC’s facility, where technologists and food security experts discussed the complexities surrounding food insecurity and brainstormed potential solutions. The hackathon kicks off on September 24 at the Corteva Agriscience Carver Center in Johnston.
Background on dsmHack
Since its inception in 2014, dsmHack has mobilized hundreds of volunteers, aiding over 100 local nonprofits with nearly $2 million in free technical solutions. The organization’s mission focuses on removing technological barriers so nonprofits can concentrate on their community services.
Key Conversations from the Meeting
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Barriers Beyond Food Access:
- Zuli Garcia of Knock and Drop Iowa mentioned transportation challenges affecting pantry hours.
- Patty Sneddon-Kisting from the Urbandale Food Pantry highlighted confusion around food aid policies, complicating access to SNAP benefits.
- Shannon Draayer of WesleyLife emphasized redundant paperwork across multiple organizations, which can discourage clients from seeking help.
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Inefficiencies in Operations:
- Sneddon-Kisting expressed frustration with managing over 300 volunteers using Google Sheets, citing a lack of suitable platforms for volunteer management.
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Frustrations in Administrative Tasks:
- Garcia noted the time-consuming nature of grant reporting as a major obstacle.
- Draayer called for better data visualization tools and a centralized volunteer hub to streamline the process for volunteers across various organizations.
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Underlying Causes of Food Insecurity:
- Audrey Kennis from West Des Moines asserted that food insecurity is linked to issues like transportation, housing, and healthcare.
- Matt Unger highlighted the disparity between rising living costs and stagnant wages as a significant factor contributing to food insecurity.
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Systemic Challenges in Resource Access:
- Lendie Follett pointed out administrative burdens, such as navigating paperwork and meeting deadlines, as hindrances in accessing aid.
- The need for a more interconnected assistance system was echoed, with many stating that clients must navigate multiple agencies for different forms of aid.
Conclusion
The insights gained from the September 10 meeting lay the groundwork for dsmHack’s upcoming hackathon, signaling a concerted effort to develop innovative solutions for food insecurity in the Greater Des Moines area.
