Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES RELIEF IN THE FORM OF FOOD DISTRIBUTION TO FOOD INSECURE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN LEHIGH COUNTY.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $753,401
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 22.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 327
- Highest pay
- $85,680, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 22.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 72% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 September 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 (3)
- $547,316 spent. A CLIENT CHOICE PANTRY ALLOWS CLIENTS TO SELECT THEIR OWN FOOD INSTEAD OF RECEIVING PREPACKED BAGS OF GROCERIES. WITH THIS METHOD, CLIENTS DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE ITEMS THEY ALREADY HAVE, DO NOT LIKE, OR CANNOT EAT FOR HEALTH OR PERSONAL REASONS AND INSTEAD THEY CHOOSE ITEMS THAT ARE MOST NEEDED IN THEIR HOME. OUR PANTRY OFFERS SHELF-STABLE FOODS SUCH AS CANNED VEGETABLES AND BEANS, PASTA AND RICE, PASTA SAUCE AND SOUPS. THERE ARE ALSO REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS LOADED WITH FRESH AND FROZEN PRODUCE, MEATS, AND DAIRY PRODUCTS. ADDITIONALLY, WE OFFER CLIENTS PERSONAL CARE ITEMS SUCH AS TOOTHBRUSHES, TOOTHPASTE, SOAP AND SHAMPOO WHEN AVAILABLE. HISTORICALLY, APPROXIMATELY, 60% OF THESE PRODUCTS ARE SUPPLIED BY THE FEDERALLY FUNDED THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP).
- $24,058 spent. THE ELDERLY FOOD PROGRAM IS AN INITIATIVE DEDICATED TO DELIVERING NUTRITIOUS FOOD DIRECTLY TO RESIDENTS OF SENIOR HOUSING UNITS IN ALLENTOWN. LAUNCHED IN SPRING 2024, THE PROGRAM SERVED 319 SENIORS IN ITS FIRST YEAR. BY THE END OF FY 2025, THAT NUMBER HAD GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY, WITH 1,816 SENIORS RECEIVING FOOD THROUGH THE PROGRAM.THROUGH THE EFP, EACH DELIVERY INCLUDES FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, MILK, MEAT, BREAD, AND EGGS, AS WELL AS CANNED AND PACKAGED FOODS TO HELP ENSURE BALANCED, RELIABLE NUTRITION.
- $30,072 spent. THE SUMMER KIDS PROGRAM OFFERS A DIVERSE SELECTION OF NUTRITIOUS FOODS FOR FAMILIES, AIMING TO BRIDGE THE GAP DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN CHILDREN NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO REGULAR SCHOOL MEALS. BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL GROCERIES AND KID-FRIENDLY SNACKS, THE PROGRAM HELPS ENSURE THAT CHILDREN CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE NOURISHMENT THEY NEED TO STAY HEALTHY, ACTIVE, AND READY TO LEARN EVEN WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 1982.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.