On a cold, gray Saturday, as wet snow fell over Sofia, most people were likely curled up with a warm cup of tea or hot chocolate. Yet, eleven volunteers braved the weather to gather at a warehouse on the city’s outskirts. Their mission? To sort and pack donated food for lonely elderly residents of Montana Province’s remote villages. Over several hours, their ranks grew as more food arrived, a testament to the generosity of donors and the dedication of the volunteers.
Among the group were some familiar faces. Nikolay, a video game programmer with a penchant for helping animals, had been part of the initiative for a year. Radinel, an electronics engineer and a rescue team member for the Bulgarian Red Cross, discovered the project on Facebook. Then there was Hinka, an IT training coordinator who often tied her birthday celebrations to volunteer actions, such as helping care for shelter dogs. These diverse individuals had one thing in common: a shared commitment to making a difference.
The food packages they assembled would soon find their way to elderly villagers in Montana Province, where life is challenging at the best of times. The villages, scattered across four municipalities—Berkovitsa, Chiprovtsi, Valchedram, and Varshets—are largely deserted, with only a handful of elderly residents remaining. The isolation and lack of basic amenities make every small gesture of kindness monumental.
This effort is the latest chapter in a five-year journey led by Vyara Kuzmanova and Vaklina Ivanova, co-founders of the Donate Food, Donate Love Foundation. Their story began when they were 11th graders, inspired by peers organizing similar initiatives in Vidin and Belogradchik. “We were amazed that people our age could accomplish something so significant,” Vyara recalled. With the support of their families and classmates, the duo launched their first food donation campaign, focusing on the elderly in Montana Province.
Since then, Vyara and Vaklina have grown into determined young women, juggling their university studies—Vyara in medicine and Vaklina in pharmacy—with their charitable work. Despite their initial fears that academics might hinder their efforts, they’ve only expanded their reach, culminating in the foundation’s official registration in 2023.
For Vyara, the motivation is clear. “At first, we were moved by the poverty, but over time, we realized that loneliness is an even greater issue,” she explained. Many of the elderly live in dilapidated homes, struggling with the most basic needs. Some have families in larger cities or abroad, but help is scarce. In one memorable instance, the team returned to chop firewood for a grandmother who lacked the strength to prepare for winter herself. Yet, despite their physical limitations, these elderly individuals are warm and welcoming, greeting Vyara and her helpers as if they were their own grandchildren. “These are essentially the two opposing emotions that keep us going,” Vyara said.
Registering as an NGO has brought both opportunities and challenges. As the two found out, NGOs are the most regulated of legal entities in Bulgaria. While official registration has allowed them to secure financial support and better manage logistics, it also imposed many restrictions and checks. On the one hand, it amplified what they do, but “on the other, it complicated things quite a bit. It turns out that doing good officially in Bulgaria is very difficult.”
Growing pains aside, the foundation remains steadfast in its mission. The volunteers’ efforts now span not only the holiday season but also the months leading to Easter, with food deliveries and heartfelt conversations brightening the lives of their elderly beneficiaries. “We want to ensure this isn’t just a one-off gesture; instead, we want to provide periodic assistance. Our goal is to revisit the villages we started with and, if we have enough resources, to eventually expand our reach,” Vyara emphasized.
The foundation has also partnered with TimeHeroes.org, Bulgaria’s leading organization matching volunteers with meaningful initiatives, to help spread the word and attract new supporters. This collaboration reflects their commitment to growth and to inspiring more people to join the cause.
As the volunteers packed the final boxes that Saturday, there was a palpable sense of fulfillment. The food packages, along with the warmth and compassion they represent, would soon bring a glimmer of hope to the elderly residents of Montana’s most forgotten corners.
And as the year-end holidays approach, Vyara and Vaklina’s message to all is simple: there’s always room for more helpers. “Donate food, donate love,” they urge, inviting others to join their growing community of change-makers. Whether by contributing food, assisting in logistics, or simply spreading the word, anyone can play a part in bringing dignity and joy to those who need it most.
Through its steadfast support of TimeHeroes, the America for Bulgaria Foundation bridges the gap between Bulgaria’s most vulnerable and those eager to help, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most with speed, care, and impact.
