Give Day Tampa Bay 2016: Computer Crash Hindered Donations

TAMPA, FL – With less than four hours remaining in the 24-hour event, non-profit organizations across the Tampa Bay area participating in Tuesday's Give Day Tampa Bay were desperately trying to get the word out that there are still ways to get donations submitted.

According to Monica Wilson, the director of the Community Food Pantry in Carrollwood, the national Give Day computer system crashed just before noon Tuesday, stopping donations to all 595 non-profits in the Bay area participating in this year’s event.

“We were crushed,” Wilson said.

The system affected 55 other events around the country as well, such as the East Texas Giving Day and giveBIG in Seattle.

In an article published yesterday on Patch.com, Wilson said they were hoping to raise $25,000 during today’s event for the Community Food Pantry, which would have doubled last year’s Give Day Tampa Bay total.

“We are so far behind, but hopeful and it was out of our control,” Wilson said. “We are just at $9,500 and need a big push to finish strong.”

The Give Day Tampa Bay website has shown total amount raised as $469,966 since the system crashed. However, the community has attempted to rally around the unfortunate circumstance. The Community Food Pantry still shows their midday total donations of $6,355.

Organizers for Give Day Tampa Bay set up an alternate website earlier today at MadePossibleBy.us/Projects/GiveDay. By using this method, donors will need to reply to an e-mail after submitting their donation to tell organizers which participating non-profit the money is for.

Also, the Community Food Pantry added a link on its home page to donate directly to the non-profit for today’s event. To donate directly, visit http://www.thecommunityfoodpantry.com/.

It wasn’t all bad news today for the Community Food Pantry. Before the system crashed, the food pantry that serves all of northwest Hillsborough County was in fifth place overall and in second place for small organizations for total gifts (77). The Community Food Pantry also won a TECO Energy Hour of Power Prize of $1,000 for having the most unique donors between 3 and 4 a.m.

Despite their early success, Community Food Pantry staff were still looking to end the evening strong. The donation push ends at midnight.

“It’s been a whirlwind of a day and we really need help,” Wilson said.

Images courtesy of Community Food Pantry

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