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Lunch Break

EIN 22-2440028 · Red Bank, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LUNCH BREAK FREELY PROVIDES FOOD, EMERGENCY SHELTER, CLOTHING AND LIFE SKILLS TO THOSE IN NEED IN MONMOUTH COUNTY AND BEYOND. WE SEEK TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THOSE IN SEARCH OF HEALTHIER, SELF-SUFFICIENT AND PRODUCTIVE LIFESTYLES.

Income
$6.1 million
Spending
$6.7 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
11.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
38
Volunteers
2,453
Highest pay
$237,479, executive director

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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

    25 of 25 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 (3)
  1. $4.0 million spent. LUNCH BREAK'S FOOD OPERATIONS INCLUDE: I) YOUR CHOICE PANTRY & II) COMMUNITY KITCHEN. YOUR CHOICE PANTRY IS A FOOD PANTRY THAT PROVIDES FRESH PRODUCE AND OTHER HEALTHY FOOD GOODS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS VIA A COMMUNAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER. COMMUNITY KITCHEN OFFERS FREE, HOT MEALS DAILY PROVIDED BY A FULLY STAFFED KITCHEN THAT UTILIZES FRESH AND HEALTHY INGREDIENTS. THE ORGANIZATION IS SEEING INCREASED DEMAND FOR ITS FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AS RISING COSTS ARE PUTTING FINANCIAL STRESS ON LOCAL FAMILIES. LUNCHBREAK HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED RISING COSTS OF ITS FOOD OPERATIONS THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND RELIES ON THE GENEROSITY OF ITS DONOR COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT THEIR ESSENTIAL MISSION.
  2. $607,032 spent. LUNCH BREAK'S FAMILY PROMISE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY (LBFPMC) HOUSING PROGRAM IS A COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AT RISK OF OR EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. PREVENTING FAMILIES FROM FALLING INTO HOMELESSNESS IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF LBFPMC MISSION. HOUSING STABILITY IS THE OVERALL GOAL OF ALL LBFPMC PROGRAMS. EVERY FAMILY IS ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER TO HELP EITHER PREVENT HOMELESS OR FIND AND MOVE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. ONCE MOVED INTO PERMANENT HOUSING, LBFPMC PROVIDES FAMILIES TRAINING & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE IMPROVING HOUSEHOLD INCOME, SUPPORT NETWORKS AND OVERALL WELLBEING. IN 2024 103 ADULTS & 207 CHILDREN WERE SUPPORTED THROUGH THESE PROGRAMS.
  3. $840,928 spent. ADDITIONAL LUNCHBREAK OFFERINGS INCLUDE LIKE SKILLS, CLARA'S CLOSET, YOUTH SERVICES, HEALTH & WELLNESS, WOMYN'S WORTH AND OTHER SERVICES. LIFE SKILLS PROVIDES PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE FOR JOB READINESS, RESUME BUILDING, PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION, INTERVIEW PREP, AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. CLARA'S CLOSET IS COMMUNITY-DRIVEN AND DEDICATED TO COLLECTING, SORTING, AND SHARING GENTLY WORN CLOTHING WITH THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. YOUTH SERVICES AIMS TO GROW BRIGHTER FUTURES WITH ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY. HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMING AIMS TO SUPPORT AND IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE LUNCH BREAK COMMUNITY. WOMYN'S WORTH IS A SPECIFIC PROGRAM THAT OFFERS LIFE COACHING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT TO THE WOMEN OF OUR COMMUNITY.

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 August 1983.

    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.