Service Insights Initiative

What is the Service Insights Initiative?

Good Shepherd Food Bank believes the more we know about people experiencing hunger in our network, the more effectively we can measure our impact, allocate resources, and successfully advocate on their behalf. Starting in 2018, we recruit partner agencies to use Link2Feed, a web-based software, to record information about their neighbors and its services. We currently have participants representing all sixteen counties in Maine and are always looking to expand our network!

Here is a great overview from our friends at Feeding America.

What will you do?

Participants use Link2Feed to intake neighbors and record services. Intake neighbors by collecting basic information to build their household’s profile (first and last name, gender, address, household members, etc.) and other administrative data, such as housing status, employment type, and income, and assistance programs. If you distribute TEFAP products, this uniform intake process digitally stores the TEFAP form. You will not collect this information every time someone visits your agency. After the initial intake questionnaire, Link2Feed creates a household profile that makes documenting subsequent visits quick and easy.

Annual updates to the profile are encouraged to maintain up-to-date records. If you distribute TEFAP product, Link2Feed automatically prompts for TEFAP recertification each year. If neighbors do not wish to answer the intake questions, they are still given assistance. Agencies do not deny service because a neighbor declines to provide some or all information during the intake process.

How will you benefit from participating?

Apart from participating in a statewide movement to combat hunger, the data your agency collects is available in various ways. From Link2Feed, generate detailed reports about neighbor demographics and the services you provide, useful for securing resources, planning, and fundraising. You also have the option to be completely paperless, including the TEFAP form!

Technology grants are available to participants to make accessing Link2Feed easier and to improve operations and other services. Agencies may apply for laptops and/or tablets (subject to availability). If your agency does not currently have internet access, the same grant assists with start-up costs and a period of initial service.