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Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries

EIN 46-3773017 · Essex, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SHORELINE SOUP KITCHENS & PANTRIES IS AN INTERFAITH SERVICE THAT PROVIDES FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP TO THOSE IN NEED AND EDUCATES THE COMMUNITY ON HUNGER AND POVERTY.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
20.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
11
Volunteers
709
Highest pay
$99,710, executive dir.

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

    8 of 8 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 (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. THE SHORELINE SOUP KITCHENS AND PANTRIES, INC. DISTRIBUTED 1,095,158 MEALS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES DURING 2024. THIS INCLUDED 1,076,796 MEALS FROM OUR GROCERY DISTRIBUTION SITES AND 18,362 MEALS SERVED AT AREA COMMUNITY MEAL SITES. THE SHORELINE SOUP KITCHENS AND PANTRIES, INC. OFFERS FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP TO THE COMMUNITIES OF CHESTER, CLINTON, DEEP RIVER, EAST LYME, ESSEX, KILLINGWORTH, LYME, MADISON, OLD LYME, OLD SAYBROOK, AND WESTBROOK, CONNECTICUT. OUR COMMUNITY ORIENTED MEAL SITES SERVING HOT, NUTRITIOUS AND DELICIOUS FOOD ARE LOCATED IN CENTERBROOK, CHESTER, CLINTON, DEEP RIVER, ESSEX, OLD SAYBROOK, AND WESTBROOK. OUR GROCERY DISTRIBUTION SITES, WHERE PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE ENOUGH FOOD FOR THREE MEALS FOR THREE DAYS, ARE LOCATED IN CLINTON, OLD LYME, OLD SAYBROOK, WESTBROOK, AND EAST LYME. The SSKP Backpack Support Program helps children access food on weekends and school breaks. Non-perishable foods (breakfast foods, drinks, fruit, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals) are provided free-of cost to backpack programs at nine area schools. THE SHORELINE SOUP KITCHENS ACCOMPLISHES ITS GOALS WITH THE HELP OF APPROXIMATELY 700 VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDED OVER 37,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS IN 2024. WE PROVIDE THOSE IN NEED WITH FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP, RESPONDING TO ALL WITH HUMANITY AND RESPECT.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 February 2015.

    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.

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