Thread by @PaulDJohnston

Please can all those people thinking it's a good idea to build a "free" app for foodbanks because they read about a Tory MP who charges £180 for an app per foodbank actually stop and think please?

This is going to be a thread...

(1/n)

1) apps *already* exist for foodbanks that are free or low cost

Your idea is not new, but there is a problem. Most foodbanks are run by volunteers and supported by community groups and faith groups. They are small, and not tech savvy
(2/n)

2) "Free" is problematic

My Dad runs a foodbank. I've been teaching him how to use Google Forms and Google Sheets. It's pretty much all he needs to run the foodbank.

The difficulty is in the *sourcing* of food. The "what food we need" problem.
(3/n)

3) The sourcing problem is much more complex than a shopping list

If you want more information ask the @bankuetuk founder. It's simply not trivial to build a solution for *multiple* foodbanks that allows for ordering, management, logistics etc.
(4/n)

4) Where will this goodwill be for the "free" app in 6 months?

I've seen lots of good intentions and not a lot of good thinking.

Making something is easy.

Maintaining something is hard.

Remember they are all volunteers. It's not a job. They *will* need paid support.
(5/n)

5) Even the big support organisations charge

Free is not always the best model. Sometimes the value exchange is worthwhile. Sometimes it's worth giving some money for the value it provides even to a foodbank.

See @TrussellTrust. They aren't free, but they do great work.
(6/n)

6) Foodbanks will tell you they need help

Of course they will! But if you say you are going to be there, they will expect you to be the for the long haul - the same as them.

Be prepared for that. Do not let them down.
(7/n)

7) Tech is really good at jumping in with tech...

... but it's really bad at realising that sometimes that isn't what is needed and can actually be counterproductive.

"Building tech" and "free" are not the answers to every question.
(8/n)

8) Examine your motives

A number of the responses I've seen appear to be knee jerk reactions to the app being created by someone who is now a Tory MP.

Agree or disagree with the politics - fine. Austerity has made foodbanks a necessity (1000 to 2000 in a decade) but ...
(9/n)

... I don't necessarily see it as having been wrong to charge a small sum for an app for foodbanks.

And the charge is minimal (although I haven't looked at the quality or anything like that so cannot judge as to whether it has value).

The reaction is out of proportion.

(10/n)

Now I know that people will disagree.

I know people will say "these things should be free" and I agree.

I think there should never be such a thing as a foodbank.

I think governments should have different priorities too.

But stuff happens. And it's awful.

(11/n)

How about, instead of going off and "building another app" for the foodbank community, which to be honest, doesn't need a glut of "free" apps coming into the market, how about this?

1) donate to the @TrussellTrust
2) get involved with (start!) your local foodbank
(12/n)

At the very least go and talk to some people that run these things.

Likes and retweets on Twitter are very little to do with whether something like this is going to work.

Understand how communities work and why foodbanks are needed and how volunteers organise.

(13/n)

And yes this is a rebuke to the tech industry.

Foodbanks are not a "market" for you to save with free tech.

They are a vital source of support for the poor & vulnerable.

If you want to support them then get involved.

If you're simply trying to play politics, get lost.

(fin)

Addendum: I applaud the intent to want to help I really do. But let me just point out that this Tory MP had an app out in 2014. That's 5 years. This isn't a new issue that just suddenly appeared. Why the rush *now* to create free apps? What is the trigger?