Cares

We care deeply about our neighbors and the communities in which we live.

Over the years, we have collaborated with businesses in our network to ensure that these organizations can achieve more. Because of the software we create, we have a unique opportunity to benefit nonprofit organizations throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CARES

Making Homelessness
Rare, Brief, and One-Time

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CARES

Making Homelessness
Rare, Brief, and One-Time

Smartwerks’ relationship with St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) CARES began in 2018. Since then, Smartwerks’ has donated their software and portable mattresses to help end homelessness.

In July of 2018, Smartwerks’ Director of Sales, Patrick Kunish, attended the retail industry’s largest trade show, Las Vegas Market. While there, he met Scott Smalling, a leader in the sleep industry, spreading the word about his nonprofit company, Relief Bed. Smalling explained that one of the biggest problems for homeless people is that there aren’t enough shelters and beds for everyone, so he created Relief Bed, a low-cost, portable mattress designed for homeless shelters and durable enough to use outdoors.

John Mafodda (left) and Pat Kunish unwrap a shipment of Relief Bed Shelter Mattresses that will replace the current mats that are aged and difficult to store.

“These are awesome. They will be comfortable and warm for the people who are homeless sleeping in the shelter.” – Wes Bryan, CARE Center Case Manager

After hearing about how families, veterans, and individuals struggle to get a good night’s sleep, Kunish searched for a local shelter in the Tampa Bay area with a need for these Relief Beds. He found St. Vincent de Paul CARES (SVdP), located just outside of downtown St. Petersburg, and learned that they needed to replace their old mattresses.

Smartwerks agreed to donate 70 Relief Bed mattresses to help the CARE Center better serve SVdP’s clients. We have also pledged to replace mattresses in the future.

In March 2021, we became SVdP’s newest National Partner.

OAKHURST ELEMENTARY PTA

Teacher Appreciation During COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. Our schools had to overcome significant hurdles to teach kids at home or in person. As a way of saying “Thank You for all of your hard work” to area teachers, Smartwerks teamed up with the Oakhurst Elementary PTA to give each teacher and staff member a free lunch on National Teacher Appreciation Day. Lunches were made from scratch by the chefs at Broken Board Grill in Reddington Shores and delivered while observing safety protocols.

VARIOUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Innovative Corporate Giving

Many nonprofit organizations have a thrift store to bring in extra money. These stores usually run POS systems that use paper-based tickets and spreadsheets to handle all transactions. The problem is that thrift store managers need a Point of Sale system typically used by specialty retailers, but these can be too expensive and difficult to operate.

Smartwerks is in a unique position to help area nonprofit organizations run their thrift stores more effectively and at steeply discounted rates. To expand our corporate giving, we will provide an upgrade of their Point of Sale (POS) software and educate them on how to use all of the features available. This can provide a more accurate accounting of sales and reduce their overall volunteer hours needed to run the store.

Looking for Help?

There are many ways we can help your nonprofit organization through donations of time and technology or leveraging our extensive network of business partners.

For more information on Smartwerks Cares, Text CARES to 727-491-8425. Or, scan the QR Code below. You can also call us at 1-888-882-1530.