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Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes Inc

EIN 77-0319247 · Watsonville, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes (PVLF) provides food free of charge to those in need through its Hot Lunch and Pantry Programs. Our work alleviates hunger among homeless, elderly, and disabled individuals, as well as low-income families residing in the Pajaro Valley. Many participants are seasonal farmworkers employed in local agriculture. PVLFs mission is to alleviate hunger and nourish the community through nutritious food offered with dignity and compassion.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
29.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
7
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$89,000, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 August 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 (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. PVLF operates three primary programs that together address food insecurity and strengthen community well-being:1.Hot Lunch Program:PVLF provides a complete, freshly prepared noontime meal five days a week, including holidays. Meals include salads, vegetables, fruits, breads, and protein sources such as meat, beans, or eggs. Most ingredients are provided by the USDA, Second Harvest Food Bank, and local donors.During the fiscal year, PVLF served approximately 25,000 meals to hungry individuals, an additional 2,000 meals to staff, volunteers, and trainees, and nearly 5,000 second helpingstotaling over 32,000 hot meals. These meals reduce hunger and provide consistent nutrition for vulnerable neighbors.2.Pantry Program:PVLFs pantry distributes groceries three days each week, offering fresh produce, protein, and culturally appropriate staples. In total, the pantry provided more than 425,000 meals equivalent throughout the year. During the holidays, PVLF provides bountiful boxes of chicken, ham, sliced turkey, pistachios, dried fruits, fresh vegetables, and hearty canned goods. Over 500 households (about 2,000 individuals) receive holiday food boxes each year.3.Community Support and Volunteer Engagement:PVLF collaborates with agencies including the County Health Services Agency, Homeless Persons Health Project, Dignity Health Mobile Outreach, Community Action Board, and Second Harvest Food Bank to connect program participants with health care, mental-health support, nutrition education, and application assistance for Medi-Cal and CalFresh. PVLF also provides referrals for immigration, housing, and utility assistance as needed.Over 300 volunteers contributed more than 14,000 hours of service, the equivalent of seven full-time employees. Volunteer opportunities are offered for students and adults seeking community service hours, job training, or personal fulfillment. In partnership with community agencies, PVLF provides placements for unemployed or under-employed youth and adults, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and adults transitioning from the CalWORKS program to gain work experience and re-enter the workforce.Together, these programs foster health, stability, and community connection for thousands of residents across southern Santa Cruz and northern Monterey Counties. PVLF operates three primary programs that together address food insecurity and strengthen community well-being:1.Hot Lunch Program:PVLF provides a complete, freshly prepared noontime meal five days a week, including holidays. Meals include salads, vegetables, fruits, breads, and protein sources such as meat, beans, or eggs. Most ingredients are provided by the USDA, Second Harvest Food Bank, and local donors.During the fiscal year, PVLF served approximately 25,000 meals to hungry individuals, an additional 2,000 meals to staff, volunteers, and trainees, and nearly 5,000 second helpingstotaling over 32,000 hot meals. These meals reduce hunger and provide consistent nutrition for vulnerable neighbors.2.Pantry Program:PVLFs pantry distributes groceries three days each week, offering fresh produce, protein, and culturally appropriate staples. In total, the pantry provided more than 425,000 meals equivalent throughout the year. During the holidays, PVLF provides bountiful boxes of chicken, ham, sliced turkey, pistachios, dried fruits, fresh vegetables, and hearty canned goods. Over 500 households (about 2,000 individuals) receive holiday food boxes each year.3.Community Support and Volunteer Engagement:PVLF collaborates with agencies including the County Health Services Agency, Homeless Persons Health Project, Dignity Health Mobile Outreach, Community Action Board, and Second Harvest Food Bank to connect program participants with health care, mental-health support, nutrition education, and application assistance for Medi-Cal and CalFresh. PVLF also provides referrals for immigration, housing, and utility assistance as needed.Over 300 volunteers contributed more than 14,000 hours of service, the equivalent of seven full-time employees. Volunteer opportunities are offered for students and adults seeking community service hours, job training, or personal fulfillment. In partnership with community agencies, PVLF provides placements for unemployed or under-employed youth and adults, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and adults transitioning from the CalWORKS program to gain work experience and re-enter the workforce.Together, these programs foster health, stability, and community connection for thousands of residents across southern Santa Cruz and northern Monterey Counties.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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 August 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 March 1994.

    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.