Hunger relief programs across Washington State are facing unprecedented increases in the number of people requesting assistance in a period of decreasing financial resources. This has led to a unique opportunity for Rotary First Harvest – a program of Rotary District 5030 (RFH) and Computers for the World (C4W) to collaborate in a program that will provide computer equipment to hunger relief programs to help RFH more efficiently manage their efforts.
C4W will provide up to 100 computers preloaded with the latest version of Microsoft Office, as well as with a specialized database and information management software application. The database was developed for the Washington State Emergency Food Assistance Program by volunteers who wanted to help the Washington-based hunger relief programs.
David Bobanick, RFH’s executive director, has drawn up a simple application process for any food banks who are interested in securing computers for their efforts. Bobanick further added “we designed this program to make sure we helped hunger relief organizations in Washington regardless of their size or location. We strongly encouraged smaller rural programs to apply for this opportunity to secure computing resources that can help them in their efforts to reduce hunger in our state.”
John Martinka from Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club and the C4W feels this is a natural expansion of the C4W program. “We have worked with many organizations, since our founding in 1998, and to be able to leverage our access to computing resources within our own community in this time of increasing need is significantly rewarding for all associated with C4W.”
About Rotary First Harvest
Rotary First Harvest is a program of Rotary District 5030 and was originally formed in 1982 by Mike Shanahan, Norm Hills and a group of concerned members of the Rotary Club of the University District in Seattle, WA. Rotary First Harvest’s mission is to: Feed the hungry with surplus nutritious food; Access and improve food distribution and transportation systems; Develop innovative hunger relief solutions; and replicate the concept of Rotary First Harvest.
About Computers for the World
Computers for the World was launched in 1988 by Emerald City Rotary Club (Seattle), Garfield High School Interact Students, Rotarians, and technology teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle. Student participants are Rotaract and Interact members with technical, linguistic or leadership skills, and the determination to help those in need. The program has worked with many organizations to expand its programs. Organizations such as Group Health Cooperative, Microsoft, The Gate Foundation, Alaska Airlines, Boeing, United Airlines, Seattle Public Schools, Newport High School and many others have contributed to the program.