How it works
Three steps. One hour.
And it runs itself.
No spreadsheets. Any volunteer can run it from day one. This is exactly what happens.
Setup
Up and running in under an hour.
Most pantries are ready for their first distribution day. This is everything it takes.
Create your pantry profile
Sign up with your work email, name your organization, and confirm your nonprofit status. No credit card required.
Import your client list
Upload your existing list from Excel or CSV. GivBase maps columns automatically. New clients can register on the spot at any time.
Invite your team
Add volunteers and admins by email. They receive a magic link — no password. Volunteers can start checking clients in immediately.
Import client list
clients_2024.xlsx
Sarah Johnson
4 people
Marcus Lee
2 people
Rosa Martinez
6 people
David Kim
3 people
Priya Patel
5 people
Valley Food Pantry
Session openSarah Johnson
#0424 people · Last pickup: Wednesday
Today · 23 pickups
Distribution day
Check-ins in 30 seconds or less.
Once a session is open, any volunteer can check clients in from their phone. No IT support.
Open a session
An admin taps "Start distribution" from the dashboard. Volunteers anywhere can check clients in from any device.
Look up the client
Search by name or client number. Results appear as you type. Tap to confirm.
Handle proxy pickups
Someone picking up for a neighbor? Select "Proxy pickup" and the visit is attributed to the correct household automatically.
Register new clients on the spot
First visit? Tap Register, fill in the details, and they're registered and checked in immediately. No extra steps.
Monthly report
One click. That simple.
No spreadsheet math. No manual counting. Your report is ready the moment the month ends.
Open Reports
Go to the Reports tab and select the month you want to summarize. GivBase pulls all sessions automatically.
Review your numbers
Unduplicated household counts, demographics breakdown, proxy pickup totals. Everything your food bank needs to see, clearly presented.
Export and send
One click generates the file in the exact format your food bank network requires. Done.
May 2025 Report
Valley Food Pantry
Total visits
312
Unique households
189
New registrations
14
Proxy pickups
27
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
Do volunteers need an account?
Yes. Admins invite volunteers by email and they sign in with a magic link — no password. This keeps your client data inside your organization only.
Can we run without internet?
GivBase requires an internet connection. Most distribution sites use a phone hotspot or local Wi-Fi. We're exploring offline mode for a future version.
What if a client doesn't have an ID card?
Volunteers can search by name. ID numbers are optional — they speed up lookups but aren't required.
What data do you store about clients?
Name, household size, address (city and zip), and demographic fields required for food bank reporting. No dates of birth are stored. Phone numbers are encrypted at rest.
How do I qualify for the free plan?
GivBase is free for 501(c)(3) nonprofit food pantries. Apply during onboarding and we'll verify your status within one business day.
Ready to see it yourself?
Free for qualified organizations. Up and running in under an hour.