Full Hearts

Home (basic information about the USDA supplemental nutrition assistance program along with direct links to other helpful resources)
Food Items (what food items are eligible for purchase using an EBT Card)
Eligible Locations (grocery stores and restaurants near you)
Food Distributions (other resources)

INSPIRATION

Even as the world continues to develop at a rapid pace, introducing new forms of incredible technology and devices, there is actually a widening gap between the rich and the poor. This limits the lower classes’ ability to access even the most basic of necessities. In order to provide resources for these “lower classes,” the government has set forth programs that equip families and individuals with financial benefits to buy food. However, even with this aid, many families go hungry due to the inaccessibility and unawareness regarding food to purchase.

WHAT IT DOES

Our project, Full Hearts, aims to centralize information so people can easily make full use of government benefits and get access to food. Users can be directed to apply for Electronic Benefits Transfer programs and locate nearby retailers and food distribution centers. Information on the list of groceries and the categories of food customers can buy is also provided to make the shopping process efficient and accurate.

HOW WE BUILT IT

We were able to code a website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript on Repl.it to serve as our platform.

CHALLENGES WE FACED

We ran into several challenges because of our inexperience with web development, such as embedding links and making everything aesthetically pleasing utilizing CSS.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR FULL HEARTS

Our next step for Full Hearts is to optimize the platform so that it can be used globally. This includes tailoring each country’s version of the website, so that accurate food information can be found. We would also like to create an account system on this website, where users can check their “balance” of food stamps, and some form of eligibility calculator.