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Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana Inc

EIN 31-1100607 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMUNITY HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NORTHEAST INDIANA, INC. (CHFB) IS A NOT- FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE ALLEVIATION OF HUNGER THROUGH THE FULL USE OF DONATED FOOD AND OTHER RESOURCES.

Income
$27.0 million
Spending
$27.1 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 69%
Employees
59
Volunteers
3,025
Highest pay
$149,691, president &

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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 30% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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 (5)
  1. $16.0 million spent. MEMBER AGENCIES: COMMUNITY HARVEST FOOD BANK (CHFB) PARTNERS WITH APPROXIMATELY 250 MEMBER NONPROFIT AGENCIES ACROSS NORTHEAST INDIANA, INCLUDING HOMELESS SHELTERS, FOOD PANTRIES, SOUP KITCHENS, AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS. THESE NONPROFIT AGENCIES RECEIVE A LARGE PORTION OF THEIR FOOD FROM THE CHFB FACILITY, WHICH IS THEN DISTRIBUTED TO THEIR CLIENTS LOCALLY. OUR STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS ALLOW US TO INCREASE FOOD DISTRIBUTION TO ADDITIONAL RURAL AND URBAN AREAS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT FALL OUTSIDE THE CITY OF FORT WAYNE.
  2. $2.0 million spent. COMMUNITY CUPBOARD: COMMUNITY CUPBOARD IS A UNIQUELY DESIGNED PANTRY WHERE FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH HUNGER SELECT GROCERIES AT NO COST TO THEM. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE DEDICATED TO TREATING ALL CLIENTS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT, WHILE RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE. FAMILIES MAKE SELECTIONS FROM A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF AVAILABLE PRODUCE, PROTEIN, DAIRY, AND SHELF STABLE FOOD ITEMS. THE HOPE FOR HEROES PROGRAM BEGAN IN 2016 TO PROVIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE AT NO COST TO VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP THROUGH TRANSITION. FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE TO FILL THEIR CARTS WITH SELECTED FRESH PRODUCE, DAIRY, BREAD, SHELF STABLE ITEMS, PROTEIN, AND PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS, IF AVAILABLE.
  3. $431,043 spent. SENIOR PAK: SENIORPAK PROVIDES GROCERIES TWICE PER MONTH AT NO COST TO LOW INCOME OLDER ADULTS IN NORTHEAST INDIANA. SENIORS WHO ARE MEDICALLY HOMEBOUND RECEIVE GROCERIES DELIVERED TO THEIR HOMES BY VOLUNTEERS, WHILE SENIORS WHO ARE MOBILE VISIT THE CHFB FACILITY TO RECEIVE FOOD EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY. MANY SENIOR CITIZENS ARE FORCED TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES, SUCH AS WHETHER TO BUY GROCERIES OR OTHER NECESSITIES LIKE PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION. SENIORPAK PROVIDES BALANCED FOODS TO PROMOTE BETTER OVERALL HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG VULNERABLE OLDER ADULTS.
  4. $7.4 million spent. OTHER PROGRAMS: FARM WAGON PROVIDES FRESH PRODUCE AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF OTHER FOODS TO CLIENTS THROUGHOUT OUR NINE-COUNTY SERVICE REGION. REFRIGERATED TRUCKS VISIT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH TO DISTRIBUTE FRESH FOODS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN IDENTIFIED FOOD DESERTS, BOTH RURAL AND URBAN. THE FARM WAGON MOBILE PANTRY IS A KEY PROGRAM FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE FRESH, NUTRIENT DENSE FOODS TO CLIENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO SUCH ITEMS. KIDS BACKPACK PROGRAM PROVIDES A TEN-POUND BAG OF SHELF STABLE FOOD TO DISADVANTAGED AND AT-RISK CHILDREN AND TEENS UP TO AGE 18 EVERY WEEKEND YEAR-ROUND. WHILE KIDS AND TEENS HAVE SCHOOL LUNCHES AND OTHER MEAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE DURING THE WEEK, THESE CAN OFTEN BE THE ONLY MEALS THEY CAN COUNT ON. BACKPACK PROVIDES A HEALTHY FOOD RESOURCE FOR THESE CHILDREN TO COUNT ON DURING THE WEEKEND WHEN OTHER PROGRAMS ARE UNAVAILABLE. EACH BAG CONTAINS PROTEIN, FRUITS, VEGETABLES, SNACKS, JUICE, AND SOUPS TO PROVIDE BALANCED NUTRITION TO EACH RECIPIENT, PLUS A HUNGRY SIBLING. KIDS CAF AND SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAMS PROVIDE AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER MEALS TO CHILDREN WITHOUT RELIABLE ACCESS TO MEALS. THROUGH THE USDA AND STATE OF INDIANA, CHFB PROVIDES FOOD TO DESIGNATED FEEDING SITES, SUCH AS PARKS AND RECREATION, AND YOUTH ACTIVITY CENTERS. VOLUNTEERS PREPARE MEALS FOR CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE, AND SITE STAFF PROVIDE ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL OR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. THESE PROGRAMS BLEND NICELY WITH KIDS BACKPACK AS, COMBINED, THEY ENSURE THAT CHILDREN ARE FED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. SATURDAY HELPING HANDS PROVIDES GROCERIES TO FAMILIES EACH WEEK FROM 8-10 A.M., INCLUDING FOODS SUCH AS PRODUCE, DAIRY, BREAD AND BAKERY, AND OTHER AVAILABLE ITEMS. VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF SERVE ALL WHO ATTEND, OFTEN HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES PER WEEK (AVERAGING 1,627 FAMILIES). CHFB PARTICIPATES IN THE FOLLOWING USDA AND STATE OF INDIANA PROGRAMS: THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP), COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM (CSFP), CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP), AND SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM (SFSP).
  5. OTHER PROGRAMS: FARM WAGON PROVIDES FRESH PRODUCE AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF OTHER FOODS TO CLIENTS THROUGHOUT OUR NINE-COUNTY SERVICE REGION. REFRIGERATED TRUCKS VISIT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH TO DISTRIBUTE FRESH FOODS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN IDENTIFIED FOOD DESERTS, BOTH RURAL AND URBAN. THE FARM WAGON MOBILE PANTRY IS A KEY PROGRAM FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE FRESH, NUTRIENT DENSE FOODS TO CLIENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO SUCH ITEMS. KIDS BACKPACK PROGRAM PROVIDES A TEN-POUND BAG OF SHELF STABLE FOOD TO DISADVANTAGED AND AT-RISK CHILDREN AND TEENS UP TO AGE 18 EVERY WEEKEND YEAR-ROUND. WHILE KIDS AND TEENS HAVE SCHOOL LUNCHES AND OTHER MEAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE DURING THE WEEK, THESE CAN OFTEN BE THE ONLY MEALS THEY CAN COUNT ON. BACKPACK PROVIDES A HEALTHY FOOD RESOURCE FOR THESE CHILDREN TO COUNT ON DURING THE WEEKEND WHEN OTHER PROGRAMS ARE UNAVAILABLE. EACH BAG CONTAINS PROTEIN, FRUITS, VEGETABLES, SNACKS, JUICE, AND SOUPS TO PROVIDE BALANCED NUTRITION TO EACH RECIPIENT, PLUS A HUNGRY SIBLING. KIDS CAF AND SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAMS PROVIDE AFTER SCHOOL AND SUMMER MEALS TO CHILDREN WITHOUT RELIABLE ACCESS TO MEALS. THROUGH THE USDA AND STATE OF INDIANA, CHFB PROVIDES FOOD TO DESIGNATED FEEDING SITES, SUCH AS PARKS AND RECREATION, AND YOUTH ACTIVITY CENTERS. VOLUNTEERS PREPARE MEALS FOR CHILDREN IN ATTENDANCE, AND SITE STAFF PROVIDE ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS EDUCATIONAL OR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. THESE PROGRAMS BLEND NICELY WITH KIDS BACKPACK AS, COMBINED, THEY ENSURE THAT CHILDREN ARE FED EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK. SATURDAY HELPING HANDS PROVIDES GROCERIES TO FAMILIES EACH WEEK FROM 8-10 A.M., INCLUDING FOODS SUCH AS PRODUCE, DAIRY, BREAD AND BAKERY, AND OTHER AVAILABLE ITEMS. VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF SERVE ALL WHO ATTEND, OFTEN HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES PER WEEK (AVERAGING 1,627 FAMILIES). CHFB PARTICIPATES IN THE FOLLOWING USDA AND STATE OF INDIANA PROGRAMS: THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP), COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM (CSFP), CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP), AND SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM (SFSP).

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 May 1984.

    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.