Effortless Parcel Management at Fourth Presbyterian Church

The Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois, is one of the largest Presbyterian churches in the United States. This church is over 150 years old and has since become a “light in the city.”

The church is renowned not only for its stunning Gothic Revival architecture but also for its unwavering commitment to community service and social justice. At the heart of its outreach efforts is Chicago Lights, the church’s nonprofit community arm, which offers a range of programs aimed at empowering individuals and families in Chicago.

Kathy Kidder is the Director of Office Management and Events. She, along with her team of receptionists, also handle package receiving and distribution for the church.

The Problem

Parcel management wasn’t always an issue. For many years, Fourth Presbyterian Church had a dedicated staff member who received, logged, and delivered every parcel by hand. However, when that staff member moved on, the role was restructured and Kathy had to adjust.

• Lack of a Centralized Parcel Management System. parcel management became a shared and fragmented responsibility, making it difficult to keep track of every delivery.
• Missing parcels. Without a reliable verification process or organized tracking, parcels were often misplaced or picked up without proper records, leading to confusion and lost items.
• Reception congestion. Uncollected parcels quickly piled up at the reception desk, creating clutter and making it harder for the team to welcome guests efficiently.

Though Kathy considered Excel sheets as a stopgap, the reality was that it just wasn’t practical. The reception team already had their hands full with guests, and Kathy needed something lightweight, dependable, and easy to adopt.

The Process of Setting Up Parcel Tracker

Kathy explored several tools, but many were too complex or bundled in extra features she didn’t need.

• The team uploaded a CSV file of all the recipients
• The team attended online training with Parcel Tracker
• Kathy deployed an iPad Mini for the dedicated use of Parcel Tracker

Kathy chose Parcel Tracker for its simplicity and ease of use. All she needed was a software that could scan parcels, send out notifications, and track whether an item had been delivered. With Parcel Tracker, Kathy was able to do that and more.

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The Solution

Now, with Parcel Tracker, receptionists can scan incoming parcels into the system, triggering automatic email alerts to recipients. Each notification included a unique QR code, making pickup secure and traceable. When people came to collect their items, receptionists could scan the code and sign out the parcel.

The shift required some adjustment, but not because of the system. It was simply a matter of changing old habits, Kathy noted. Once the team got comfortable with the new workflow, they found it easy to use.

Key Results

Thanks to Parcel Tracker, Kathy and her team now have a dedicated setup that just works. A single iPad Mini powered with Parcel Tracker creates a simple, low-maintenance, and accessible experience for all staff. With Parcel Tracker’s digital log, missing deliveries are now a thing of the past.

• Fast, Accurate Logging: Receptionists scan incoming parcels directly into the app, eliminating manual entry and errors.
• Automated Notifications with QR Codes: Staff get instant email alerts with a QR code to collect their parcel, cutting down delays and confusion.
• Centralized Pickup & Proof of Collection: All parcels are collected at reception, with recipients signing out or being photographed for verification.

One of Kathy’s favorite features is the ability to capture photos of parcels and recipients. That added visibility means fewer missing deliveries and a clear audit trail if anyone ever has a question. With notifications automatically sent to recipients, the system encourages timely pickups, freeing up storage space at reception.

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The Result

Once set up, Parcel Tracker became a background tool the team could rely on. No more chasing down lost packages, dealing with missed deliveries, or managing clunky Excel files. The system handles it all: quietly, efficiently, and without drama.

As Kathy put it, "I don’t have to think about Parcel Tracker. It just works.”

Parcel Tracker gave the Fourth Presbyterian Church a smooth, reliable system that supports the team without overwhelming it. With the iPad Mini stationed at reception and an intuitive platform behind the scenes, Kathy and her staff now spend less time chasing lost packages and more time serving their community.

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