What do you get if you mix a charity with smart phone technology? An app that
helps the needy, of course.
That is the premise behind a new, free
application available for both iPhone and Android phones, in both Hebrew and
English, that Leket – Israel’s National Food Bank officially launched this
week.
Through its app, the organization – which each year recycles more
than 9.592 million kilograms of produce, hot meals and perishables from
restaurants, event halls, supermarkets and other businesses and distributes it
daily to more than 270 charities nationwide – enables users to locate nearby
charities so they can donate their surplus food.
“The Leket Israel App
will allow both Israelis and tourists visiting Israel easy access to the closest
location in need of the surplus food from their event,” the organization’s
founder and chairman, Joseph Gitler, told The Jerusalem Post
Thursday.
“We are very excited to have created the first of its kind in
Israel and to use technology to better serve those less fortunate,” he
added.
Gitler pointed out that applications serving Jewish charities,
Israeli social projects and Israel volunteerism are still scarce in the app
market. However, he said such technology would be helpful for Leket in
connecting those in need with people who want to help out.
“We are not
expecting this to become the most downloaded app in the Apple store, but it
would be great if people actually do start to use it,” he said.
The app,
which includes a link to Leket’s main website and information about the
organization, also features an interactive map of the country, so those looking
to donate their leftover food from an event or a conference can search for the
charity closest to them. Gitler said the technology would soon be developed
further, allowing users to punch in their zip codes and find agencies
nearby.
At present, when users click on the charities’ locations, it is
Leket’s contact details that come up. However, the app will soon show contact
information for the charities themselves, said Gitler.
“Today charities
need to be just as sophisticated as people are in the business world, albeit
with fewer resources,” he commented, adding that “while not every charity has
the need or means to become active on social media or to develop downloadable
apps for their public, for larger organizations such as Leket, it is very
important to get their information out there and to make an impact.”