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Purple Lemon Inc

EIN 83-4479661 · Morgan City, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO PEOPLE RECOVERING FROM ADDICTION AND OTHER LIFE ALTERING ISSUES BY MEETING THEIR PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS AND PROVIDING THE RESOURCES THEY NEED IN TRANSITION TO A RESTORED LIFE.

Income
$672,813
Spending
$610,396
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
17
Volunteers
22
Highest pay
$28,000, presidenttreasurer

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (5)
  1. $284,046 spent. LADIES IN TRANSITION PROGRAM OFFERS A FRESH START TO WOMEN IN RECOVERY. THIS FAITH-BASED PROGRAM PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, JOB, FINANCIAL AND LIFE SKILL TRAINING, AS WELL AS ONE ON ONE COUNSELING. PRIOR TO ENTRANCE INTO OUR PROGRAM, OUR LADIES ATTEND A ONE YEAR IN-HOUSE TREATMENT WITH THE ADULT AND TEEN CHALLENGE PROGRAM. UNCOMMON GROUNDS CAFE PROVIDES THE WOMEN WITH EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATES THEM ON JOB SKILLS, SOCIAL SKILLS, AND FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. UNCOMMON GROUNDS CURRENTLY OPERATES THREE DAYS A WEEK.
  2. $103,290 spent. THE OPERATION OF THE PURPLE LEMOM THRIFT STORE PROVIDES FREE AND AFFORDABLE CLOTHING AND HOME GOODS TO INDIVIDUALS IN NEED.
  3. $77,467 spent. FEEDING PROGRAM OFFERS SEVERAL FOOD DISTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITIES, INCLUDING HOT MEAL DELIVERY SERVICE ONCE A MONTH TO THOSE IN THE ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAM AND EVERY THURSDAY TO SENIOR CITIZENS.
  4. $51,645 spent. SECOND HARVEST FOOD PANTRY- OUR FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY EVRY THURSDAY TO PROVIDE GROCERIES AND HOT MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED. THE FOOD PANTRY IS CURRENTLY SERVING 240-360 FAMILIES PER MONTH.
  5. THE PURPLE LEMON IS A NON-PROFIT FAITH-BASED MISSION THRIFT STORE AND A SECOND HARVEST FOOD PANTRY. OUR FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY EVERY THURSDAY TO PROVIDE GROCERIES AND HOT MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED. WE ENGAGE WITH DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO PARTICIPATE IN DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS BY PROVIDING GROCERIES, HOT MEALS, WATER, AND CLOTHING TO AFFECTED AREAS. WE PARTNER WITH MANY PROGRAMS IN OUR COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE COMMISSION TO PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS; WITH SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS; AND WITH REHABILITATION PROGRAMS LOUISIANA AND ADULT TEEN CHALLENGE (LAATC) AND FAIRVIEW TREATMENT CENTER BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT, JOB SKILLS TRAINING, FOOD, CLOTHING, AND OTHER NECESSITIES FOR NEW INTAKES. IN ADDITION, WE PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FOR GRADUATES OF DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS AS THEY ACCLIMATE BACK INTO SOCIETY.

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 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 2024.

    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 May 2019.

    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.