The report said once a homeless person has expressed interest, HandUp’s staff notes some basic information, such as first name and neighborhood, and generates a profile and custom paper card.  The member can then hand out the card to strangers or familiar faces in the community as well.

Users can donate to individuals through the app, which then takes the money and distributes it. Homeless members can buy the supplies they request, like sandwiches, batteries, clothing, bus tickets, etc, the report said.

The app was created using Stripe payment service (donors input credit card information only once) and cloud communications API Twilio, according to the report. Both companies are based in San Francisco.

The goal is to enable people to help others in need, while ensuring that donations don’t go towards potential drug or alcohol abuse.

The HandUp app is now serviced only in San Francisco but is expected to spread to other cities.

By Lee Shin-young, Intern reporter
(sylee@heraldcorp.com)