ITVET gifts Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank IT support in their busiest year

ITVET has partnered with Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank to provide a laptop and IT support, during the Food Bank’s busiest year to date.

ITVET are a national technology and IT support provider with offices in Bishop’s Storford. ITVET have a  commitment to their local community to use technology to help people and enhance Bishop’s Stortford. They gifted the Food Bank IT Support and a laptop to show their appreciation for all the work they do to support the local community.

Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank provide food and care packages to people in the local community who may be dealing with a crisis, or just living on a stretched budget day-to-day. Managed by a Board of Trustees and a Coordinator, the Foodbank liaise with local agencies to understand how to allocate the food and care packages, and the quantities required. They deliver food twice a week to the most vulnerable people in the local community.

When the Covid19 pandemic struck, the Food Bank witnessed a 225% increase in people needing food and care packages. This increase was reflected in the time and resources required to ensure everyone received their care packages on time. Organisation is key to the coordination of the charity, which relies heavily on email communication and access to the internet to operate.

Hana Hainsby, the coordinator of Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank, was left in a crisis when her laptop stopped working last December. Hana uses this laptop every single day and she wouldn’t be able to do her job without it.

That’s when Jim Tatchell, who works for the Food Bank, first contacted ITVET back in December 2020. When Jim wanted IT advice regarding laptops, ITVET took the decision to gift the Food Bank a new laptop. This was then delivered and set up for the foodbank by the ITVET team, who also ensured the trustees of the charity had access to email to help with their communications.

The money saved by not having to invest vital funds into a new laptop has since been allocated toward more resources for the charity.

Hana Hainsby, the coordinator of the Food Bank, said: “I just want to say a huge thank you from myself, Pauline and the board of trustees from the Food Bank. The help we received from ITVET was above and beyond what we would expect, especially with the support in setting up the emails.”

Richard Fountain, CEO of ITVET, said: “We are blown away by the hard work and kindness of the Food Bank. They are a vital part of our local community. They have shown so much resilience and perseverance throughout the Covid19 pandemic. We are honoured to have the chance to help them and say thank you.”

Bishop’s Stortford Food Bank rely on both financial and food donations. If you’re able to help you can find out how on their website.