Rob McVey

Second Harvest Buddy ​

Project Case Study ​

FeatureDescription
RoleCreator / Maintainer
Repositoryhttps://github.com/rmcvey/secondharvest-buddy
ObjectiveImprove the volunteer delivery driver experience.
ConstraintsImproving the experience while working with the system they already have in place - not requiring them to make any operational changes.
Key ResultsSuccessfully parsing PDFs into app.
StatusFreely available and open-source. We are informally exploring next steps with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.

Technology Overview ​

ReleaseStack
v1Web Components, Progressive Web App, VanillaJS, CSS, Express, Node, PDF parsing, Local Storage

Project Description ​

I created this simple app while volunteering as a delivery driver for Second Harvest. The app allows delivery drivers to convert their password-protected PDF itenerary into an easy-to-read and helpful UI to improve the delivery experience.

Workflow ​

  1. Receive email from Second Harvest with password-protected PDF route.
Second Harvest shift email.

Download Picture

  1. Download the file to your phone.
Second Harvest shift PDF.

Download Picture

  1. Navigate to Second Harvest Buddy (or host your own instance), click "Choose File", and navigate to the downloaded PDF.

  2. The route PDFs are password protected, enter the password that was provided to you in the email.

Landing page

Upload your password protected route PDF, enter the provided password, click 'Upload PDF.' Download Picture

  1. Use Second Harvest buddy throughout your shift:
Second Harvest Buddy App

Navigating route Download Picture

  • navigate through each delivery using the bottom menu
  • click the address to open directions in Google Maps
  • click the language to open Google Translate for the client's language
  • click the phone number to call the client
  • bonus the gas, coffee, food, and help icons link out to nearby searches in Google Maps.

TIP

Second Harvest Buddy is a Progressive Web App (PWA). One nice feature of PWAs is that when users add a link to their home screen, the web app is focused (no browser navigation) and can be accessed like a native application. Works offline too!