Better Call IT skilled volunteer delivered a strategic technology plan for Beds for Kids through Apparo’s Community Impact Project program. As a result of this project Beds for Kids anticipates delivering 1,000 more beds to families in our community next year.
Beds for Kids (BFK) officially became a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2011. Initially operating out of a 30’x10’ storage unit off South Blvd., Beds for Kids provided 282 beds to children and families in need. Fast forward to today, Beds for Kids serves almost five times that number of beds and essential furniture to their client families. They strive to serve thousands of children and their families each year.
BFK leadership realized the need for a technology plan to move their organization forward. Apparo matched them with volunteer, Ross Feldman, CTO of Better Call IT, who conducted a current state technology assessment and provided a robust technology plan and roadmap that will allow BFK to operate more efficiently, with reduced risk and with a decrease in gas expenses.
As a result of this project, BFK began to rethink how they source inventory and schedule deliveries and have already been able to implement impactful changes to their processes. With the new processes in place, BFK was able to meet their goal to deliver as many beds as possible before the new year, delivering 70 beds over the last two weeks! This is an increase of more than 100% of their normal deliveries. Beds for Kids anticipates they will be able to increase the number of beds delivered from 2,000 in 2021 to 3,000 in 2022 – that’s 1,000 more families not sleeping on the floor next year! They also expect to reduce the time between receiving the referral from the agency to the delivery of the bed from 2 weeks to 1 week allowing families to receive beds faster than ever before. The new process includes scheduling bulk furniture pickups and deliveries by zip code which means that the organization will reduce gas expenses.
Zach Smith, BFK Office and Development Manager, shared, “This project helped Beds for Kids think strategically about how we source and deliver furniture. We have always had one way of doing things and that is how we have always done it, but now we have begun to think outside the box and be proactive and strategic about our processes.”
By maximizing use of technology already in place at BFK, they will reduce risks of data and information loss. Smith shared, “This project will give Beds for Kids the health to be a sustainable organization moving into the future. Important information that was once only in someone’s head is now accessible on share drives.”
Open project snapshot in new window
Skilled volunteer, Ross Feldman, contributed 20 hours and delivered a project worth more than $5,000. Ross was excited to share about his experience on the project, stating, “While I was familiar with Beds for Kids via a Charity Golf Fundraiser we did for them in the past, helping them with their Technology Plan and spending time in the warehouse and on deliveries gave me a much better understanding of the staff, technology, process, mission and their reach in the community.”
Smith expressed his gratitude for the time Ross dedicated to this project, sharing, “Ross went above and beyond as a volunteer through Apparo. Not only did he help with our IT Plan, he took the time to personally volunteer and help us on deliveries. Ross made the entire experience. I am so thankful for all he has and continues to do for our organization”
