here again is mary ann mendoza. >> reporter: cutbacks are ripping the hearts out of nonprofit organizations. the silicon valley council of nonprofit, representing dozens of community service groups, gathered this spring at the board of supervisors, children, families and seniors meeting, ripping paper hearts they brought each time a representative spoke about the government withdrawing its funding. >> we hear the heart breaking. >> reporter: in order to survive, groups that get government money are having to rely on more private donations than ever before. agencies such assay credit heart community services in downtown san jose, which also gets money from faith-based organizations and individual donations. the agency offers food, customers can leave with a grocery big containing everything from eggs so vegetables to canned goods. sacred heart provides clothes, where clients can get anything from socks to dresses. and the nonprofit also helps people get jobs by providing a career center with computers and employment opportunities posted up on the wall. >> you know, poverty is a solvable prob