What is your mission?

• The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP) is an interfaith ministry that provides food and fellowship to people in need and educates our communities about hunger and poverty.

What are your services?

• Family orientated home cooked meals are available 7 days a week in Centerbrook, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex (2), Old Lyme, and Old Saybrook.

• Grocery, meat and fresh produce distribution sites operate in Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Clinton and  Westbrook.

•  A Heat-n-Eat operation supplies the pantries with frozen, individually packed meals for distribution to individuals with inadequate cooking facilities or capacities.

What towns are served?

• Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Lyme, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Madison, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook

What are your sources of funding?

• Individuals, corporations, private foundations, faith communities and civic groups

What kind of an organization is “The Shoreline Soup Kitchens”?

• We are a non-profit, 501c3, independent, interfaith, religious association.

What are the needs of the Shoreline Soup Kitchens?

• Non perishable food stuffs for our grocery distribution sites

• Volunteer support at our program sites

• Monetary donations

• Drivers to pick up food drive proceeds and distribute to program sites

If all the food is not donated, how do you provide your clients with the food they need?

• Supplemental pantry stock is bought at a deep discount at the Connecticut Food Bank in order to provide balanced nutritious meals, usually including perishable meats and vegetables.  About 75% of our pantry food distribution is donated and 25% purchased using cash donations. 

Is there really a need for the SSKP?

•  In 2006 alone… 

480,431 meals were distributed to individuals and families during The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries programs.  This included 447,435 meals from our grocery distribution sites; 19,640 heat-n-eat meals; and 13,356 meals served at area soup kitchens.n 2006, 480,431 meals were distributed to individuals and families during The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries programs.  This included 447,435 meals from our grocery distribution sites; 19,640 heat-n-eat meals; and 13,356 meals served at area soup kitchens.

How are we staffed?

• Our program is staffed by a full time Executive Director, four part time pantry managers, and one part time Partnership Coordinator who brings services to our patrons. Our meal sites and heat-n-eat program are managed by community volunteers.

How is the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries Governed?

• The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries is governed by a Board of Trustees which sets the goals and policies, and, through the Executive Director, directs and supports the affairs of the organization. The Board of Trustees may consist of up to fifteen members; up to five of whom may be clergy from among the local Clergy Associations. Members of the Board of Trustees may serve up to three consecutive two year terms. The Executive Director serves as an “ex officio” member of the Board of Trustees. The officers of the Board include a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer who are elected by the Board for a one year term at the annual meeting in January. Meetings of the Board of Trustees are held monthly. The Partnership Coordinator works to bring services to our patrons.

If you have any additional questions please call 860-388-1988 or email at pdowling@shorelinesoupkitchens.org