Indiegogo is committed to accessibility. If you have difficulty using our site, please contact support@indiegogo.com for assistance or view our accessibility notice by clicking here

This campaign is closed

Transfernation

Connecting corporations to social institutions, Redistributing what we already have, Changing the way we see our extra food, And solving hunger in the US.

You may also be interested in

Caret Left
Caret Right
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed

Transfernation

Transfernation

Transfernation

Transfernation

Transfernation

Connecting corporations to social institutions, Redistributing what we already have, Changing the way we see our extra food, And solving hunger in the US.

Connecting corporations to social institutions, Redistributing what we already have, Changing the way we see our extra food, And solving hunger in the US.

Connecting corporations to social institutions, Redistributing what we already have, Changing the way we see our extra food, And solving hunger in the US.

Connecting corporations to social institutions, Redistributing what we already have, Changing the way we see our extra food, And solving hunger in the US.

Samir Goel
Samir Goel
Samir Goel
Samir Goel
2 Campaigns |
New York, United States
$2,815 USD 60 backers
37% of $7,500 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 2 Projects Mountain Filled 2 Projects

Short Summary

Hi everyone, Hannah and Samir here. Thanks for checking out our campaign! We're friends, juniors at New York University, and the Co-Founders of Transfernation: an online platform that connects corporations to social institutions so that the extra food from corporate events can be redistributed and transferred to where it's wanted and needed. 

Hannah: 

I grew up all over; I started in New Jersey, continued to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and now I'm in New York. I'm a huge language-enthusiast and I love reading about other cultures and countries. Naturally, I'm an International Affairs major. 

Samir:

I'm a born and bred (upstate) New Yorker. Started out in Niskayuna and ended up in New York City. Honestly I'm kind of interested in everything so I ended up studying Finance and Political Science but have really found a niche for myself in Social Entrepreneurship. I'm a health nut and a foodie at the same time and like Hannah love to learn about other cultures and ways of life. I don't know exactly where ill end up in the future but I know I want to be somewhere I can make a difference in peoples lives.

Almost everyone we've told about Transfernation has had the same reaction: I can't believe this doesn't already exist. It seems so easy, it's simple diffusion. Take food from where there's extra and it's not being used to where it's wanted and needed. It's ridiculous that a concept this obvious has to be bogged down by transport and information constraints. Transfernation solves this. We tell you who wants your extra food and connect you to them. 

Transfernation works via our online connecting platform and the network of partnerships we've been building between corporate and social institutions. Your contribution would help solve the problem: the lack of information regarding who wants your food and how to get it to them. It would help us strengthen these partnerships and widen our scope so that we can reach more people. It will set the ball rolling on the cultural movement that Transfernation is, one that aims to show that your extra food does not belong in the trash. 

What We Need & What You Get

We need $7,500 to get our website and apps up and running! It's a pretty small amount considering what a huge problem it has the potential to solve. Corporations and social institutions need an efficient, constant way of connecting with each other, and that's exactly what Transfernation provides them with: a platform to connect and exchange information.

We recently contracted a web developer with the funds (5500.00) we earned from winning the Resolution Project's Social Venture Competition at the Clinton Global Initiative University conference in March, but we need a little more for our operations and to develop our smartphone app, which would literally put the solution to hunger in the palm of your hand. Here, you have the opportunity to be part of one of the first tech solutions to hunger and food-waste in America. We're trying to make our platforms as accessible and easy to use as possible, so your contribution towards this would go a long way! 

We hope that with your help we can jump start the much needed cultural revolution that can end food waste and hunger. 

We are currently in the process of registering as a NYS nonprofit type B.. In the future we intend to acquire 501(c)3 but right now we are not so your donations are not tax-deductible. In addition we are not giving away any company equity but if you have thoughts, suggestions, or want to talk with us at anypoint we are more than happy to listen and discuss.

    The Impact

    Giving even a small amount has the potential to create powerful impact. We're not saying that this is the only solution to hunger or that it will alleviate all hunger but we hope and intend for this to go a long way towards our dream of ending hunger. This is the first time anyone has ever attempted a tech solution to hunger. But it's exciting to believe that you could be part of the original stages of something fantastic, something world-changing. We truly, truly believe that you don't need big solutions to solve big problems. Creativity is using whatever you have and whatever you can find to make a dent in a problem that has existed for as long as we have known. 

    We don't need statistics to prove the amount of food that corporations throw away every time they have an event; the amounts speak for themselves. It's not enough to shake your head and talk about what a pity it is. It's time to do something about it. It's time to have faith in ventures that tackle this problem. 

    Challenges

    The most obvious obstacle that comes to mind when undertaking a venture like Transfernation is food liability. Lawsuit-culture is so prevalent in the United States, that people back away from redistributing their extra in fear of contracting legal prosecution against their act of goodwill. 

    Over the past year we have researched food liability and the legal constraints around it and found out that their are multiple laws operating in favor of protecting the donor from civil and criminal liability with the exception of gross negligence (e.g. leaving milk in the heat for a day). The first of these is the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act passed on the national level in 1996 which protects both individuals and non-profit organizations from civil or criminal liabilities for good faith donations.  In addition donors are protected by Article 4-D, Section 71-2 of NYS Law which explicitly states:

    “A good faith donor of any canned or perishable food or farm product, apparently for human consumption, to a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization, for free distribution shall not be subject to criminal penalty or civil damages arising from the condition of the food, if the said donor reasonably inspects the food at the time of donation and finds the food apparently for human consumption and unless the donor has actual or constructive knowledge that the food is adulterated, tainted, contaminated or harmful to the health or well-being of the person consuming said food”

    However, we know this isn't enough and have looked into Food Liability Insurance which costs only 299.00 per year and covers your business for liabilities pertaining to food and distribution. Furthermore, we are partnering with many social institutions with the pre-existing infrastructure and expertise (e.g. food handlers license, insulated trucks, etc.) in order to further mitigate any risks pertaining to food liability. Finally food rescue operates are in existence lead by City Harvest who use an a customer agreement contract accepting the food "as is". This means the appropiate precedence is in place to protect both us and our partners corporate or social. Finally in case you're worried about the corporate side of things a huge part of Transfernation is creating the right corporate social partnerships and that has lead to us finding and researching ways for corporations to mitigate any outstanding liabilities regarding their extra food,

    It's a no-brainer that the law was not established in order to prevent people or entities from doing social good. Clearly this fear is entirely a product of our current culture. This leads us one of Transfernation's biggest challenges, and that is creating the cultural movement that's needed to end hunger. We need to reevaluate what we care about and change the way we view what we already have. We aim for Transfernation to one day be a person to person food sharing network in which you don't even consider throwing away your extra because you've already put it up on Transfernation.

      Other Ways You Can Help

      We're always looking for people who want to get involved. Donating to us isn't the only way you can support our cause. In fact equally as important is spreading the word and letting people around you know about what we are doing. Get your and family and friends to check out Transfernation, blast it on social media, talk to the blogger you know.  We know everyone can't contribute financially, after all we're college students, but that doesn't mean you don't have an equally significant if not great role to play in getting our cause out there.

      Transfernation, at its roots, is more than just a redistribution process. It's a cultural movement. We want to change the way we see our extra food and develop a deep understanding that what is extra for one person is sustenance for another. Just because we don't want it, doesn't mean that nobody else does. 

      If you have any ideas, feedback, constructive criticism, partnership suggestions, contacts, or anything else for us, feel freer than free to get in touch with either of us:

      Hannah: hannah.dehradunwala@transfernation.org
      Samir: samir.goel@transfernation.org


      Check out our New Transfernation Quick Intro Video Produced and Filmed by Bridget Johnson.




      Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
      Need more information
      Let us know if you think this campaign contains prohibited content.

      Choose your Perk

      Social Media Shoutout

      $5 USD
      You rock! You'll get a personal shout-out by one of the co-founders on our twitter.
      4 claimed

      Invite to our Launch Party

      $15 USD
      You're the people we care about and we want to hang out with you! You'll get an invite to our official launch party, it'll be a fun night in New York City with the founders and all our supporters!
      15 claimed

      Logo Voting Rights

      $25 USD
      You're part of our family. You get the chance to vote on certain organizational decision (e.g. new marketing materials, next corporate target, next city, etc.). (All perks cumulative, if still available)
      4 out of 500 of claimed

      Voting Rights

      $25 USD
      You're part of our family. You get the chance to vote on certain organizational decision (e.g. new marketing materials, next corporate target, next city, etc.). (All perks cumulative, if still available)
      6 out of 497 of claimed

      Thank You Note

      $35 USD
      We can't thank you enough! A personal thank you note from the founders to your email with the opportunity to ask us any questions you want or offer suggestions. We will respond, in fact we can't wait to hear what you have to say! (All perks cumulative, if still available)
      0 claimed

      Newsletter Shoutout

      $50 USD
      We can never thank you enough but you'll get a special shout-out on our first Transfernation newsletter after our campaign! (All perks cumulative, if still available)
      3 claimed

      Official Website Recognition

      $75 USD
      For you're incredible support you will be recognized on our official website as a Transfernation Contributor. (All perks cumulative)
      1 claimed

      Be in Our Next Video

      $100 USD
      You're amazing and clearly you really care about Transfernation or what we stand for. For our next video on Transfernation we want to get some of our top supporters involved in small speaking roles and you are just the people we want to include. (All perks cumulative, while available)
      1 out of 20 of claimed

      Phone Call With the Founders

      $300 USD
      We're overwhelmed at you're support. You have the chance to go on a call with the co-founders of Transfernation. We love to talk with our supporters and you've certainly earned. We want to hear you're thoughts on Transfernation and suggestions/feedback you may have as well as get to know you a little better (All perks cumulative, while available)
      1 claimed

      Gold Contributor

      $500 USD
      You're support means the world to us and we're going to show that by giving you a permanent place on the Transfernation Website as a friend of Transfernation. This also will come with exclusive event invitations, continual updates and shoutouts, and our everlasting gratitude.
      0 claimed

      Interview for Transfernation

      $2,000 USD
      You are amazing. If you are that passionate about our cause then you would make a great fit for the Transfernation team, we would love to give you the opportunity to interview to be a part of the leadership. (All perks cumulative, while available)
      0 out of 3 of claimed

      You may also be interested in

      Up Caret