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T a S K

EIN 22-2392881 · Trenton, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Founded in 1982, the mission of Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) is to feed those who are hungry in the Trenton area and provide programs and services to help enhance self-sufficiency and improve quality of life.In addition to preparing and serving thousands of meals each week, TASK also offers programs and services, including case management, identification services, education and workforce readiness training, creative arts classes and the provision of basic necessities.

Income
$8.7 million
Spending
$8.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
16.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
61
Volunteers
1,553
Highest pay
$211,306, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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

    18 of 18 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 June 30, 2025, 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. $6.4 million spent. TASK Meal Service Program: In FY2025, TASK prepared and served 629,053 nutritious,delicious meals at more than 50 locations, including its Escher Street dining room, food truck stops throughout Trenton and a combination of public and private community meal sites across Trenton and Greater Mercer County. TASK also provided more than 38,740 supplemental meal bags and rescued more than 158,184 pounds of groceries that were redistributed to the TASK community. On average, TASK served more than 12,064 meals each week, six days per week, as the demand for food rose rapidly across the nation.Patron Services: TASK provided basic necessities for survival, including thousands of hygiene products, socks, warm winter weather gear, blankets, eyeglasses, pain reliever and more. Case Management & Identification Services: TASK case managers spent hundreds of hours helping more than 1,703 people access the resources they need to thrive. TASKs identification specialists helped more than 926 people obtain various forms of identification, enabling them to access jobs, housing, healthcare and other assistance.Education & Employment: As part of its education program, TASK paired students and tutors for 1:1 instruction based on their individual goals. Volunteers committed more than 660 tutoring hours in FY2025. In addition, TASKs computer specialist ran several digital literacy courses and provided 1:1 training to TASK students to help bridge the digital divide. TASKs job specialists worked with jobseekers to prepare for employment through resume and interview preparation assistance, soft skills training and resource fairs. TASK also hosted hiring drives and career fairs in partnership with more than 35 businesses in FY2025 to help people find jobs or improve their career prospects. TASKs culinary training program, Emilios Culinary Academy, graduated four cohorts. Students completed a 10-week course, in which they obtained their ServSafe certification and received hands-on culinary skills training, preparing them for jobs in the culinary and hospitality industry.Creative Arts: More than 128 people participated in TASKs weekly creative arts programs including music, visual arts and creative writing helping them to explore their talents and provide an outlet for creative expression.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1982.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.