Overview
What is Wayside Food Programs?
Wayside Food Programs is a nonprofit organization situated in Portland, Maine. Their primary mission is to combat food insecurity in the Greater Portland region by offering nutritious meals through partnerships with local churches and community centers. This community-based approach reduces the stigma associated with seeking help and provides meals at familiar neighborhood settings. Wayside prepares these meals at a central kitchen, sharing resources with Portland Public Schools. The Food Rescue Program is another initiative, distributing surplus food to pantries, soup kitchens, and service agencies in Cumberland County. In 2022, the program successfully delivered approximately 2.16 million pounds of food through partner agencies. Wayside also runs a Community Garden Program, partnering with a Portland Housing Authority site to offer workshops and construct garden beds, compost bins, and cold frames for low-income seniors and disabled adults. Additionally, the organization has transformed a South Portland lawn into a vegetable garden for their Community Meals and Mobile Food Pantries. Finally, The Cupboard Collective Lakes Region Food Transportation Service aims to increase healthy food accessibility in communities beyond Greater Portland. Wayside makes bimonthly deliveries of rescued food, T.E.F.A.P. food, and food from Good Shepherd Food Bank to pantries in Bridgton, Naples, and Casco. Overall, Wayside Food Programs is dedicated to increasing food accessibility and promoting healthy eating habits for those in need in Southern Maine.
Official website here: www.waysidemaine.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating 94% - Four-Star out of Four Star rating
Wayside Food Programs has garnered a commendable Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong performance in various accountability and impact metrics. The organization excels in impact measurement, scoring a perfect 100, which indicates a robust approach to evaluating its outcomes and effectiveness in addressing food insecurity. Additionally, it boasts a high program expense ratio of 81.93%, demonstrating that a significant portion of its funding directly supports its mission.
The organization's governance is bolstered by 100% independent board members, indicating a commitment to transparency and ethical oversight. However, there are noted areas for improvement, particularly in policies related to whistleblowing and document retention, which received no points. This could suggest potential gaps in the organization's internal governance framework that may need addressing to enhance trust and accountability further.
Overall, Wayside Food Programs stands out for its strong financial health and effective impact evaluation practices. While certain governance policies need attention, its high scores in critical areas reflect a strong commitment to its mission and community.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.
Is Wayside Food Programs legitimate?
Wayside Food Programs is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Wayside Food Programs submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $78,757
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $405,540
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.waysidemaine.org
What is the mission statement of Wayside Food Programs?
Wayside Food Programs' mission is centered around enhancing food accessibility for those in need within their community. Their primary objective is to establish a network of community volunteers who distribute prepared meals in areas where such resources are lacking. They collaborate with other hunger agencies to create an efficient food distribution system. The Community Meals Program, in partnership with churches and community centers, facilitates nutritious meals in familiar neighborhood settings, thereby reducing the stigma associated with seeking help. Wayside prepares meals at a central kitchen, often shared with Portland Public Schools, and these meals support healthy eating habits and help reduce food insecurity. Over time, these programs decrease risks for chronic diseases and lessen the financial burden of conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease on the community. Additionally, Wayside's Food Rescue Program provides food to pantries, soup kitchens, and service agencies in Cumberland County, while their Community Garden Program facilitates gardening workshops and builds garden beds for low-income seniors and disabled adults. The organization also extends its reach to communities outside Greater Portland through the Cupboard Collective Lakes Region Food Transportation Service.
Official website here: www.waysidemaine.org
What is the revenue of Wayside Food Programs?
Wayside Food Programs's revenue in 2023 was $1,031,611.
Official website here: www.waysidemaine.org
Who are the executives of Wayside Food Programs and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Wayside Food Programs during 2023 was $37,254. There are 13 employees and 545 volunteers at Wayside Food Programs.
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- Compensation: $78,757
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- Other: $13,754
Official website here: www.waysidemaine.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Wayside Food Programs?
Wayside Food Programs's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2023 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.waysidemaine.org
Learn more at the official website: www.waysidemaine.org
Mission Statement of Wayside Food Programs
Wayside Food Programs, a notable nonprofit organization, is committed to addressing food insecurity in the Greater Portland area. Its mission is twofold: firstly, to increase access to nutritious meals for those in need, and secondly, to establish a collaborative network among local hunger agencies for the efficient collection and distribution of food resources. This is achieved through various programs.
The Community Meals Program is a significant initiative that enables people to access nourishing meals in their own neighborhoods. This is made possible through partnerships with churches and community centers, which reduces the stigma often associated with seeking help. Wayside prepares these meals at a central kitchen, shared with Portland Public Schools, ensuring that the meals not only support healthy eating habits but also help reduce food insecurity.
Furthermore, Wayside's Food Rescue Program plays a vital role in providing food to pantries, soup kitchens, and service agencies in Cumberland County. In 2022 alone, this program distributed approximately 2,160,000 lbs of food through partner agencies, thereby contributing to a more food-secure community. The organization's Community Garden Program, in collaboration with a Portland Housing Authority site for low-income seniors and disabled adults, facilitates garden workshops and the construction of garden beds, a compost bin, and a cold frame. This initiative not only promotes gardening skills but also provides fresh produce for the Community Meals and Mobile Food Pantries.
In addition, Wayside's Cupboard Collective Lakes Region Food Transportation Service aims to increase accessibility of healthy food in communities outside Greater Portland. Through bimonthly deliveries of rescued food, T.E.F.A.P. food, and food from Good Shepherd Food Bank to pantries in Bridgton, Naples, and Casco, Wayside Food Programs continues to expand its reach and impact in the fight against hunger.
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Impact
October, 2024
Wayside Food Programs significantly enhances food security and nutrition for the underserved populations in Greater Portland. Through the Community Meals Program, it facilitates access to nutritious meals in familiar neighborhood settings, thus reducing the stigma often associated with seeking help. This initiative not only promotes healthy eating habits among residents but also contributes to long-term health outcomes by decreasing the risks of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues.
The Food Rescue Program further amplifies their impact by redistributing approximately 2,160,000 pounds of food in 2022 alone to pantries, soup kitchens, and service agencies throughout Cumberland County. This effort not only alleviates food waste but also ensures that vulnerable populations receive essential nourishment.
Additionally, Wayside's Community Garden Program empowers low-income seniors and disabled adults by providing resources and education on gardening, fostering both community engagement and self-sufficiency.
Through initiatives like the Cupboard Collective Lakes Region Food Transportation Service, Wayside extends its reach beyond Greater Portland, delivering healthy food options to communities that face barriers to access. By creating a network of collaboration with other hunger agencies, Wayside Food Programs plays a crucial role in building a more equitable food system in Southern Maine.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Wayside Food Programs. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2023.
- Investment Income: $57,410
- Program Service Revenue: $156,450
- Gross Receipts: $1,031,611
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $2,273,831
- Total Liabilities: $313,125
- Net Assets: $1,960,706
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Programs
Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.
Program Fees
Revenue
$156,450
Organization Details
Founding Year
1987
Principal Officer
Robert J Ayotte
Website
www.waysidemaine.orgNTEE Category
Code: K34Z - Food
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