December 12, 2014 at 4:23 p.m.
Nicolet students install new software at food pantry
Nicolet students install new software at food pantry
By Kayla Thomason-
They ran cables the length of the building, set up software and the pantry's network.
"We're running hardwire to all computers inside and we're also setting up a wireless access point for users to come in and use," said student Carl Anderson.
RAFP will have two printers, way stations and, for the first time, the pantry will have all of its information stored in a database and backed up, which means no more paper and file cabinets.
The $600 software called PantrySoft was developed for food pantries to help with USDA reporting functions. It collects demographical information, which helps the pantry gather information for grants, according to RAFP secretary Lisa Seifert.
"It will automatically do the reports for me, that's the best part," said Jane Motowski, RAFP general manager.
In addition, the students set up the new computer -- which was funded by USDA Rural Development grant -- and transferred software from the old computer to the new one.
"We're anticipating (this change in technology) will be wonderful," said Ginger Chrobak, pantry treasurer. "The building is wonderful and now having this all wired it will work, it will take a little while (to get used to)."
Ethan Blue, IT professor at Nicolet College, said the installation process went as expected. There were some technical hiccups and it was a good learning experience for the 10 to 15 students that helped, he said.
Blue estimated that the project would take 5 to 6 hours to complete.
"With this many people things go a lot faster," he said. "If this was a one-man job it would be a few days. I think it's really valuable. Anytime you get hands-on experience it's great."
Blue said the day was more than just a learning experience, it was an opportunity to help the food pantry and the community.
"On the one hand you get some great experience for the students but on the other hand we're working toward an important mission of helping our community," he said.
"All the students here today volunteered their time to work on this project," Anderson added. "It's a good way to take classroom knowledge and apply it to the real world."
RAFP officials said they are grateful for the IT department's help in setting up the technology.
"Thank goodness we have all these kids from Nicolet helping to set all this up because if I had to do this it would never get done," Motowski said.
RAFP is looking for volunteers with IT skills to help reset the router in the future. Five students have already signed up for that.
RAFP serves around 900 to 1,000 families.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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