Reporters have written that the denizens of Silicon Valley are essentially “swimming in gold,” but is that true for everyone in America’s technology Promised Land? Ronn Torossian says, “no.” Less than five miles away from the place where computers and digital tech means massive fortunes, many people still live in abject poverty.

CNN reporter John Sutter documented this quote from 16-year-old Jorge Valencia: “There’s an invisible boundary around Eastside San Jose. They don’t even see you as humans. They think you’re trash, peasants or less.”

Now, that might be experience talking, or it could be just the pained impression of a struggling kid. Either way, one thing is clear—in Silicon Valley, poverty walks side-by-side with riches. According to CNN, despite the area’s status as one of the most affluent areas in the country, one in three kids in San Jose goes hungry.

Enter Second Harvest Food Bank. This organization is leading the charge against hunger in San Jose. In one year’s time, the organization has distributed more than one million pounds of food to people in need throughout its service area. Volunteers have contributed more than 316,000 hours of service connecting those in the grip of hunger to food assistance.

The charity has done this despite the assumptions of millions in this country that this is an affluent area, so poverty cannot exist. Ask around, and you will find this attitude prevalent in America’s wealthier upper and upper-middle-class suburbs. People do not see it, so they don’t believe it. They are not callous, they just don’t know. In fact, it is so out of sight; they cannot fathom it is possible.

So, how is Second Harvest making an impact in an incredulous world? They know their message, and they know how to get it out to the right people. Further, they understand the logistics of their operation, and they manage it very well. People love to help, but they prefer to be involved in an organization that looks and feels successful. The look comes from the operation, and the feeling comes from the way in which that operation is managed. Succeed in those areas, manage your message well, and your nonprofit organization can also find success.