Wayside Food Programs
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Wayside is to increase access to food for those in need in Southern Maine by providing a system for community based volunteers who serve prepared meals where such meals are needed, and by collaborating with other hunger agencies in developing an efficient network for the collection and equitable distribution of food.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $1.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 19.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $94,869, 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% 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
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $853,659 spent. The Community Meals Program helps people access nutritious meals in their own neighborhoods through partnerships with churches and community centers, reaching residents of Greater Portland unserved by existing resources. Neighborhood settings are familiar and reduce the stigma often associated with asking for help. Wayside prepares meals at a central kitchen, shared with Portland Public Schools. The meals improve current conditions by supporting healthy eating habits and reducing food insecurity. Over time, these programs decrease risks for chronic diseases and reduce the financial burden of conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease upon the community.Wayside's Food Rescue Program provides food to pantries, soup kitchens, and service agencies in Cumberland County. In 2024, Food Rescue distributed approximately 2,004,000 lbs of food through partner agencies. Wayside's Community Garden Program partners with a Portland Housing Authority site for low-income seniors & disabled adults to facilitate garden workshops and built garden beds, a compost bin, and a cold frame. A lawn donated by a South Portland homeowner became a vegetable garden for the Community Meals and Mobile Food Pantries.The Cupboard Collective Lakes Region Food Transportation Service was designed to increase accessibility of healthy food in communities outside Greater Portland. Wayside makes bimonthly deliveries of rescued food, T.E.F.A.P. food & food from Good Shepherd Food Bank to pantries in Bridgton, Naples and Casco.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.