CLIENT STORY · CHILDREN & YOUTH
Stronger data. More hunger-free weekends.
Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities to provide weekend food for school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry. AltruNext helped its teams use shared data more consistently, communicate clearly, and strengthen the systems behind that mission.
The challenge
In 2022, Blessings in a Backpack used one database to manage volunteer and donor programs, but teams entered and interpreted information differently. Shared terms could mean different things across departments, creating confusion and unnecessary work.
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The organization needed a clear picture of how data moved between teams, along with common definitions and expectations. It was also considering whether replacing the database was necessary—a substantial investment of time and resources.
Our approach
01 · Listen
Interview stakeholders to understand how each team enters, interprets, and uses data in its daily work.
02 · Map
Create a visual diagram that shows how data flows across teams and where workflows connect.
03 · Define
Build a shared glossary covering how information is entered, what it means, and how different teams use it.
04 · Equip
Give staff a practical diagram and glossary for onboarding, training, and everyday reference.
Clearer data. Stronger connections.
The four-month project showed that Blessings could improve its existing database instead of replacing it. Shared definitions and clearer workflows strengthened data integrity, staff understanding, and onboarding—supporting the organization’s continued growth in providing hunger-free weekends.
4 months
Focused work to clarify data and workflows
Retained
Existing database improved instead of replaced
3.3M
Hunger-free weekends provided by Blessings in 2022–23
“This one investment in a relatively simple project made things better for all these volunteers, programs, staff, and, of course, children.”
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Erin Kerr
Blessings in a Backpack