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The Salem Pantry Inc

EIN 20-1691756 · Salem, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO EMPOWER OUR DIVERSE LOCAL AND REGIONAL COMMUNITIES BY ENSURING THE ESSENTIAL RIGHT TO CONVENIENT AND RELIABLE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$4.7 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
18
Volunteers
706
Highest pay
$119,429, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $4.3 million spent. THE SALEM PANTRY (TSP) IS DEDICATED TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO EMPOWER DIVERSE LOCAL AND REGIONAL COMMUNITIES BY ENSURING CONVENIENT, RELIABLE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1991 AS A SMALL, MONTHLY FOOD PANTRY, TSP HAS EVOLVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING AND CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. IN 2019, RECOGNIZING PERSISTENT GAPS IN EQUITABLE FOOD ACCESS, THE ORGANIZATION EMBARKED ON A MAJOR TRANSFORMATION OF ITS PROGRAMS, SERVICE MODEL, AND INFRASTRUCTURE. TODAY, THE SALEM PANTRY OPERATES A NETWORK OF FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS THAT PRIORITIZE DIGNITY, CHOICE, AND CONSISTENCY. PROGRAMS INCLUDE: "THE MARKET, A NO-COST GROCERY STORE OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS MAY SHOP WEEKLY FOR FRESH PRODUCE, DAIRY, EGGS, FROZEN MEATS, NONPERISHABLES, AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT STAPLES. "THE MOBILE PANTRY PROGRAM, WHICH HOSTS WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET-STYLE DISTRIBUTIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS, HEALTH CENTERS, SENIOR HOUSING SITES, SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY, AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS SALEM AND NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES. IN 2023, TSP INTRODUCED THE TRUCK, A CUSTOM-BUILT MOBILE PANTRY VEHICLE THAT CREATES A WELCOMING, ON-SITE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. "THE HOME DELIVERY PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND SUSTAINED TO SUPPORT SENIORS, DISABLED RESIDENTS, AND OTHERS UNABLE TO ACCESS IN-PERSON FOOD RESOURCES. "THE NORTH OF BOSTON FOOD DISTRIBUTION HUB, LAUNCHED IN 2020 AND OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK, WHICH PROVIDES SHARED FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR 21 FOOD ACCESS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE REGION AND MOVES AN AVERAGE OF 100,000 POUNDS OF FOOD EACH MONTH. THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK RECENTLY MADE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN TSP TO SUPPORT THE HUB'S EXPANSION. ACROSS THESE PROGRAMS, THE SALEM PANTRY NOW SUPPORTS MORE THAN 31,450 INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR, REPRESENTING APPROXIMATELY 9,500 UNIQUE HOUSEHOLDS, AND DISTRIBUTES NEARLY 3.4 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD ANNUALLY. TSP IS FOUNDED ON THE BELIEF THAT ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD IS ESSENTIAL TO PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING. AS FOOD COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE, SNAP BENEFITS ARE CUT AND HEALTH CARE INCREASES, MORE HOUSEHOLDS ARE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD HEALTHY GROCERIES. TSP REMAINS A VITAL RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE NORTH SHORE, PROVIDING CONSISTENT, DIGNIFIED ACCESS TO THE FRESH, HEALTHY FOODS NEEDED TO THRIVE. THE SALEM PANTRY (TSP) IS DEDICATED TO WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO EMPOWER DIVERSE LOCAL AND REGIONAL COMMUNITIES BY ENSURING CONVENIENT, RELIABLE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1991 AS A SMALL, MONTHLY FOOD PANTRY, TSP HAS EVOLVED SIGNIFICANTLY IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING AND CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. IN 2019, RECOGNIZING PERSISTENT GAPS IN EQUITABLE FOOD ACCESS, THE ORGANIZATION EMBARKED ON A MAJOR TRANSFORMATION OF ITS PROGRAMS, SERVICE MODEL, AND INFRASTRUCTURE. TODAY, THE SALEM PANTRY OPERATES A NETWORK OF FOOD ACCESS PROGRAMS THAT PRIORITIZE DIGNITY, CHOICE, AND CONSISTENCY. PROGRAMS INCLUDE: "THE MARKET, A NO-COST GROCERY STORE OPEN FIVE DAYS A WEEK WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS MAY SHOP WEEKLY FOR FRESH PRODUCE, DAIRY, EGGS, FROZEN MEATS, NONPERISHABLES, AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT STAPLES. "THE MOBILE PANTRY PROGRAM, WHICH HOSTS WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET-STYLE DISTRIBUTIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS, HEALTH CENTERS, SENIOR HOUSING SITES, SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY, AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS SALEM AND NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES. IN 2023, TSP INTRODUCED THE TRUCK, A CUSTOM-BUILT MOBILE PANTRY VEHICLE THAT CREATES A WELCOMING, ON-SITE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. "THE HOME DELIVERY PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND SUSTAINED TO SUPPORT SENIORS, DISABLED RESIDENTS, AND OTHERS UNABLE TO ACCESS IN-PERSON FOOD RESOURCES. "THE NORTH OF BOSTON FOOD DISTRIBUTION HUB, LAUNCHED IN 2020 AND OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK, WHICH PROVIDES SHARED FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR 21 FOOD ACCESS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE REGION AND MOVES AN AVERAGE OF 100,000 POUNDS OF FOOD EACH MONTH. THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK RECENTLY MADE A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN TSP TO SUPPORT THE HUB'S EXPANSION. ACROSS THESE PROGRAMS, THE SALEM PANTRY NOW SUPPORTS MORE THAN 31,450 INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR, REPRESENTING APPROXIMATELY 9,500 UNIQUE HOUSEHOLDS, AND DISTRIBUTES NEARLY 3.4 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD ANNUALLY. TSP IS FOUNDED ON THE BELIEF THAT ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD IS ESSENTIAL TO PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING. AS FOOD COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE, SNAP BENEFITS ARE CUT AND HEALTH CARE INCREASES, MORE HOUSEHOLDS ARE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD HEALTHY GROCERIES. TSP REMAINS A VITAL RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE NORTH SHORE, PROVIDING CONSISTENT, DIGNIFIED ACCESS TO THE FRESH, HEALTHY FOODS NEEDED TO THRIVE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.