Student organization collaborates with local nonprofit

Tufts School of Engineering students regularly use their classroom knowledge to make a tangible difference in the world. Through coursework, extracurricular activities, and faculty mentorship, students are empowered to address the most pressing societal needs. Several members of the undergraduate student organization JumboCode recently worked with a nearby food pantry, Bread & Roses Kitchen, and made a real impact on its daily operations.

Each year JumboCode provides pro-bono software services to a handful of nonprofit organizations. Engineering psychology major An Tran, A27, joined JumboCode for a chance to get hands-on experience working with clients. Tran felt drawn to Bread & Roses Kitchen’s community-driven mission. “I was excited about the chance to use technology to contribute to something that has a real impact on people’s day-to-day workflows,” she recalled.

A growing problem for Bread & Roses

Based in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Bread & Roses Kitchen has served the Merrimack Valley community for over 40 years. Their seven-person staff rely on volunteers who contribute a collective 10,000 hours annually. The organization supports nearly 12,000 people facing food insecurity each month. All that work requires many volunteers, and a lot of coordination.

As Bread & Roses Kitchen’s operations have grown over the years, their volunteer coordination system has become difficult to manage. Until recently, staff reached out individually via phone or email to schedule interested volunteers. The system was time-consuming and it was challenging to reach large groups of volunteers on short notice to communicate changes.

The JumboCode solution

Tran worked as a user interface/user experience (UI/UX) designer alongside computer science majors Johnny Tan, A25, (project leader), Won Kim, A25, (tech lead) and a handful of undergraduate student developers to improve Bread & Roses Kitchen’s volunteer coordination system. Over the course of two semesters, the team developed a centralized web platform to streamline Bread & Roses Kitchen’s scheduling process.

The new system is more efficient for staff and volunteers alike. Administrative staff can create and track shifts as needed, and volunteers can sign up for available slots online instead of waiting for a staff member to return their message. Mass communications are also easier for staff to send out, since the volunteers can all be contacted through the system. The students in JumboCode worked closely with Bread & Roses Kitchen staff to ensure that the site met the organization’s goals in an accessible and user-friendly way.

Tran was involved in every step of the design process including research, wireframing, prototyping and developer handoff. With a focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications, Tran’s classes helped her build the necessary skills to do this work. “My coursework at Tufts, particularly in engineering psychology and computer science, gave me a solid foundation in user-centered design and the technical skills to collaborate seamlessly with developers,” she said. 

Real-world collaboration provides mutual benefit

Their work is already making a major difference for the organization. The new system frees up time for administrative staff to focus on growing Bread & Roses to reach more people in need. The organization has received positive feedback from volunteers who say that the new system is easier and more flexible for them. “Making it simple and accessible for volunteers is a game-changer for our operations, especially as we look to expand our impact,” said Ashleigh Shaw, Development and Communications Manager at Bread & Roses Kitchen.

Through the collaboration, the Tufts team gained valuable experience working with real-world clients. According to Tran, a supportive Tufts network of faculty, alumni, and peers helped her along the way. “From professors who encouraged me to think critically about user needs, to JumboCode alumni now working in tech who generously shared career advice during coffee chats, to peers who share the same passion for design and technology, I’ve grown a lot by learning from the people around me,” she reflected.   

The staff at Bread & Roses are incredibly grateful for the connection. “We were so impressed by the work the team did. It honestly wowed us that they’re able to take on such a meaningful and impactful project, all while being full-time students,” said Shaw.

Nonprofit organizations interested in working with JumboCode can contact board@jumbocode.org to learn more. Applications are accepted May–July.