
Tools, partnerships, and student advocacy that make resource access simpler, more dignified, and more inclusive.
On this Food and Resources page:
Overview ·
Programs ·
ASU Roots ·
Autonomous Delivery ·
Impact ·
Partners ·
FAQ ·
Get Involved
Our Commitment to Food and Resources Equity
The Responsible Innovation Lab helps campuses and communities reduce hunger by combining practical tools, inclusive design, and student-led advocacy. We focus on access, dignity, and outcomes: clear information, discreet options, and pathways that meet people where they are.
- Resource finders and chat tools that reduce friction and confusion
- Inclusive workflows that address stigma and scheduling barriers
- Evaluation and iteration—Deploy → Improve → Deploy again
Programs & Tools
HouseKey (aka Lurch) — Resource Chatbot
Fast, stigma-aware access to food, housing, benefits, and student services—with privacy cues and human escalation paths.
Hunger Free Campus Track
Student coalition + policy advocacy model supporting campus pantries, meal share, and inclusive procurement practices and legislature.
SDG Lurch (Sustainability Mentor and PA)
Mapping community resources across neighborhoods to reduce waste and connect supply with need, aligned to SDG 2 & 12.
ASU Roots & Pitchfork Pantry Partnership
Our food-security work began inside ASU’s innovation communities. For seven years, I partnered with Pitchfork Pantry through the Responsible Innovation Guild and the Giving Back arm of ASU’s technology organization (University Technology Office, now Enterprise Technology). I also co-led the Health & Wellness and Giving Back communities of practice to mobilize support.
- Student-led pantry coordination and awareness across campuses
- Operations support and workflow design during high-need periods
- Research into stigma, access modalities, and discreet/remote options
This lineage informs our current approach: inclusive design, practical logistics, and iterative evaluation.
Case Study: Autonomous Pantry Delivery
To increase inclusivity and accessibility, we explored autonomous last-mile delivery for pantry items. Barnaby Wasson, a co-founder and leader of the Responsible Innovation Guild team at the time, collaborated with Pitchfork Pantry, campus dining partners (e.g., Aramark), and Starship mobile couriers to pilot a discreet drop-off flow.
- Goal: reduce stigma and mobility barriers while maintaining safety and eligibility checks
- Approach: masked identifiers where feasible, location/time-windowed handoffs, plain-language privacy cues
- Outcome: improved willingness to request help; inputs to the Lurch roadmap for stigma-aware design
What we learned: predictable timing, non-contact options, and clear privacy explanations materially change help-seeking behavior.
Partners & Collaborators
Related pathways:
FAQ
How do you reduce stigma?
Plain-language privacy cues, non-contact options, predictable handoffs, and human escalation paths—tested with students and partners.
What’s the quickest way to start?
Run a NOVA sprint to scope your needs, ship a pilot in 3–5 days, and plan iterations.
Can we adapt these tools for our community?
Yes. We co-design deployments and integrate local partners, policies, and accessibility needs. See Contact.
Build Inclusive Resource Access
Co-design a pilot, connect partners, and launch tools that reduce friction and increase dignity, provide access to those that need – when they need it.