Community Solutions, a non-profit recommended by Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, and Truhoma created a pilot project to provide care packages combining food from Second Harvest and additional household, hygiene and cleaning items provided by Truhoma. The goal of the pilot is to thoroughly test the platform, gain feedback and learn first hand what clients need so that we can build the most suitable packages for them. We want to deliver this benefit over a sustained period of time in order to help clients of the Community Solutions to focus on regaining stable financial footing while their immediate needs are met.

13 years ago, Ana Lukner Roljić founded her first non-profit organization called Ana's Little Star, which has become the largest food bank in Slovenia, run completely voluntarily and without money. After so many years of experience in running the charity while at the same time working in high-tech, in November 2021 Ana launched Truhoma, another non-profit organization, specializing in developing modern technologies to infuse philanthropy with 100% transparency, traceability and efficiency. Truhoma's main objectives are to set new global philanthropic standards by creating a transparent and sustainable global movement directly helping those in need.

“In Second Harvest, we found a collaborator with matching values and many synergies for a successful collaboration, which will enhance the lives of clients,” said Ana, founder of Truhoma.

A truly great partnership

After a successful first year of Truhoma in Europe (see our Donation Tracker), Ana teamed up with her long-term network in Silicon Valley and started to build a beautiful new story.

Truhoma started conversations with Second Harvest, one of the largest food banks in the United States, and very soon we all realized that our collaboration could bring many benefits, innovation to both of us but especially to the clients. Second Harvest opened the first door for us and gave us an opportunity to enter the US market, starting in California. For that we are extremely grateful. We are proud to collaborate with Second Harvest and are grateful for their recommendations to help connect clients with additional support.

“No one should ever go hungry”

The mission of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley is to lead our community to ensure anyone who needs a healthy meal can get one. The organization is committed to doing whatever it takes to build a hunger-free community. That means distributing nutritious food to nearly every neighborhood in Silicon Valley, leveraging every available food resource, and collaborating with organizations and people who share the belief that hunger is unacceptable. Nutritious food is the foundation for a healthy, productive life.

“Creating opportunities. Changing lives”

Community Solutions is a non-profit agency that provides services and support to help children, families, and individuals overcome the challenges posed by mental health issues, substance abuse, trauma, severe family dysfunction, sexual and domestic violence, and human trafficking.

Their mission is to create opportunities for positive change by promoting and supporting the full potential of individuals, the strengths of families, and the well-being of our community.

Our pilot project

With the guidance of Second Harvest, Truhoma developed the idea for a pilot project to provide care packages including food from Second Harvest and additional items sourced by Truhoma, such as culturally appropriate foods, hygiene products, cleaning and baby products, and school supplies.

Second Harvest connected Truhoma with Community Solutions and together we launched a three-month pilot project, our first in the US. In this first pilot project, we are including one of Community Solutions residents’ programs - Maria Way, which is an independent transitional living space. A house for men who are mostly over 55 years old and have struggled with mental health challenges. Maria Way provides a clean and sober living environment, culturally-competent, strengths-based services for wellness and recovery. Decreases impact of trauma, increases resiliency, and supports high levels of personal and civic achievement. All residents are also connected to mental health services, and are preparing to find long term permanent homes.

Currently, there are 7 residents in Maria Way program and they are all participating in our pilot project. We are now raising donations for all of them to provide them with food, hygiene and cleaning products of their choice.

Knowing that they have consistent and reliable food and household support helps clients focus on their well-being and move forward.

Truhoma is already recruiting sponsors/donors whose donations will provide the household items in the pilot project. The entire donation process is recorded to the blockchain and can be reviewed at any time through our Donation Tracker. This ensures that the entire donation is 100% transparent, traceable and efficient, making philanthropy streamlined and sustainable.

This is just the beginning ....

The overall development for this project took one year, many Zoom calls with a 9-hour time difference and took place separately from ongoing projects in Europe. It has taken a lot of effort, testing, adapting and even changing ideas to get to this point. We are extremely happy to be able to start such a great story together with everyone.

We would like to thank our team and US Board members for outstanding work. A tremendous thank you to all the actors of Second Harvest and Community Solutions for their dedication, insights and trust. In addition, thanking all the partners, sponsors, donors who are already supporting us and to all the new ones that will be joining our movement.

We are witnessing difficult times. The Covid-19 pandemic and inflation have pushed people into even greater hardship, while donations are unfortunately decreasing. Therefore, we are sure that with our collaboration and partnerships we can provide a transparent & sustainable difference that brings more aid and allows people to change the circumstances of their life.

This blog is like a diary. We’ll keep you up to date with the development of this pilot, enrich it with photos from the field and statements from all the actors involved. Stay tuned. Thank you for supporting us and with that, our clients.