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Fallbrook Food Pantry

EIN 33-0491216 · Fallbrook, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE AND NUTRITIOUS SUPPLY OF FOOD TO INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE IN NEED WHILE IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION ON HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES AND PREPARATION.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
6
Highest pay
$100,000, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% 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 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 9 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, 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 (2)
  1. $3.3 million spent. MARKET DISTRIBUTIONQUALIFIED FAMILIES ARE ENTITLED TO FOOD ITEMS BASED ON FAMILY SIZE AND ARE DETERMINED BY A MENU THAT IS DEVELOPED EACH WEEK, WHICH IS PLANNED TO PROIVDE BALANCED MEALS FOR 4-5 MEALS PER WEEK. THIS AMOUNTS TO APPROXIMATELY 10-12 POUNDS PER PERSON WITHIN EACH CLIENT HOUSEHOLD. ON THE LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH, PARTICIPANTS MAY RECEIVE FRESH PRODUCE FROM TH EPANTRY AT THE LIFE POINT CHURCH PARKING LOT. THE PANTRY DISTRIBUTES GOVERNMENTAL COMMODITIES DELIVERED BY THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK TO CLIENTS. THE PANTRY DISTRIBUTES EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EFAP) ITEMS TO CLIENTS DURING THE THIRD FULL WEEK OF THE MONTH. THE PANTRY ALSO OFFERS THIS PROGRAM TO SENIOR CLIENTS DURING EXTENDED HOURS ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS DURING THE SCHEDULED EFAP DISTRIBUTIONS WEEKS. THE SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM OR BROWN BOX IS A USDA PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF LOW-INCOME SENIORS WHO ARE 60 YEARS OR OLDER, RESIDENTS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AND MEET PROGRAM INCOME GUIDELINES. THE SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM PROVIDES QUALIFIED CLIENTS WITH A MONTHLY FOOD PACKAGE CONTAINING ITEMS SUCH AS CANNED VEGATBLES, FRUIT JUICE, PASTA, MILK, CERAL, CANNED MEAT, AND A BLOCK OF CHEESE. THE PANTRY COORDINATES THE ADOPT-A-FAMILY PROGRAM WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND CHURCHES TO PROVIDE CHILDREN UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE WITH HOLIDAY GIFTS. DURING THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS, FARMERS WERE UNABLE TO SELL PRODUCE TO RESTAURANTS AND GROCERY STORES IN AS HIGH A CAPACITY AS USUAL. DUE TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMING, FOOD BANKS ACCROSS THE NATION BENEFITTED FROM THE FARMERS' EXCESS CROPS AT NO COST, WHILE THE GOVERNMENT PAID THE FARMERS FOR THEIR GOODS. THE PANTRY DISTRIBUTED THE EXCESS CROPS RECEIVED TO ITS CLIENTS DURING 2022-2024.
  2. $304,240 spent. EDUCATION/LEARNING CENTERROOTED IN WELLNESS IS A COMPREHENSIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM TAILORED FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS, CENTERED AROUND HORTICULTURE, ECOSYSTEMS, AND DAILY LIFE SKILLS. IT OFFERS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS, NUTRITION, OCCUPATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PERSONAL GROWTH TO COMMUNITIES FACING DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION DISPARITIES. BY UTILIZING OUR EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES ALONGSIDE HEALTHCARE MONITORING, ROOTED IN WELLNESS AIMS TO TACKLE ISSUES SUCH AS FOOD INSECURITY, SOCIOECONOMICS, AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO MITIGATE INEQUITIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISEASES IN AT-RISK AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES. ROOTED IN WELLNESS IS A VERY DIVERSE CURRICULUM THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED INTO ANY ENVIRONMENT: FOOD BANKS AND PANTRIES, SCHOOLS (PUBLIC, PRIVATE, CHARTER, HOME SCHOOL CO-OPS), COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES, CHURCHES, RECREATION AND SENIOR CENTERS, YOUTH AND ADULT CLUBS, RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING SPECIAL HEALTH DISTRICTS, INDIAN RESERVES, AND HOME SHELTERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 January 1992.

    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 November 4, 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.