God's Pantry Food Bank Reaches Milestone: Over 200,000 Neighbor Household Members Registered in Oasis System
Since February 2022, God's Pantry Food Bank, along with Feeding America, has been on a mission to revolutionize the way food assistance is delivered across our service area. Feeding America’s Service Insights project is a nationwide implementation of a single software program across its network of food banks, food pantries, and meal programs.
"The successful onboarding of over 200,000 neighbor household members into the Oasis system, part of our Service Insights initiative, marks a significant achievement not just for the Food Bank, but also for our partners and the communities we serve," said Michael Halligan, CEO, God's Pantry Food Bank. "This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Service Insights team, Vallerie Owens and Candace Adams."
Empowering Partners with Data-Driven Insights
Reaching this milestone is a testament to the power of accurate, up-to-date information. The Oasis system is transforming how partner agencies operate, shifting from outdated pen-and-paper methods to a sophisticated, network-wide solution that offers real-time data and streamlined processes.
Oasis has been a positive shift for our partner agencies, “[Oasis] has streamlined data entry and resulted in more accurate reporting and increased services,” said Tracy Nolan of Red Bird Mission. “It saves staff time, paper, and meet more needs!”
Vallerie Owens, the Service Insights Manager at God's Pantry Food Bank, highlights the impact of this transition: "As more food-insecure households become registered neighbors, our understanding of the communities we serve deepens. This allows us to make more informed decisions regarding food distribution and procurement, ultimately enhancing our ability to meet the needs of our neighbors."
Broadening Accessibility to Food Resources
Before the implementation of Oasis, the Food Bank had limited real-time visibility into program participation across various pantries. This often led to limitations on the assistance neighbors could receive, as they were restricted to visiting a single location to avoid duplication of federal program assistance.
The introduction of the Oasis system has revolutionized this process. Now, with a scannable pantry card, neighbors can access a wide range of services across multiple agencies with ease. The system instantly displays program eligibility, advises on available services, and tracks assistance already provided, significantly broadening accessibility to food resources.
"Neighbors can now present their pantry card and receive services from regular pantries, USDA pantries, mobile units, or senior commodities in their county—all with a single registration," says Owens. This seamless experience ensures that food-insecure households receive the help they need, when and where they need it.
A Coalition of the Willing
Onboarding 200,000 household members is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of our partner agencies. Initially, there were concerns about how staff and volunteers—many of whom are retired seniors—would adapt to the new technology. However, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
"We've been encouraged by the engagement, willingness, and dedication of our partners," Owens shares. "Our network has grown as neighboring agencies observe the success of their peers and willingly join the initiative. What we expected to be a challenging onboarding process has turned into a movement of champions—both our partners and our neighbors."
In fact, some agencies have joined the network because their neighbors specifically asked for the pantry cards, a testament to the system's effectiveness and the trust it has built within communities.
Overcoming Challenges in Rural Communities
While the Oasis system has brought many benefits, the rollout has not been without challenges. Many of the most vulnerable communities served by God's Pantry Food Bank are located in the rural hills and hollers of Eastern Kentucky, where connectivity can be unreliable. The shift to drive-thru distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated the situation, as operating outside traditional pantry settings limited access to stable internet connections.
To address these issues, the Food Bank implemented solutions like WiFi extenders, hotspots, and manual check-in processes with barcode scanning reports.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, the lessons learned from the past two years will guide our efforts to overcome these challenges and continue improving service delivery. The milestone of registering over 200,000 neighbor household members in the Oasis system is not just a number—it's a symbol of progress, collaboration, and a shared commitment to feed Kentucky communities.
