Annual Impact Report · 2025–2026

Nourishing Bodies,
Building Community

Empathy Soup Kitchen is a faith-driven, volunteer-powered IRS-certified 501(c)(4) nonprofit - (EIN:33-2027652) serving hot meals, groceries, and vital community support to those in need — every single week, without exception. Guided by the principle that no one in our community should go hungry.

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80+
People fed every
Saturday & Sunday
80
Monthly large kitchen
feeding event
$41K
Starting balance &
community trust fund
4,160+
Meals served this fiscal year · Families reached · Lives touched
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Financial Overview
FY 2025–2026 at a Glance
Starting balance of $41,122 · Nov–Mar actuals · Apr–Sept projections
💰
$41,122
Starting Balance
Oct 2025 opening fund
🎁
$22,275
Donations Received
Nov–Mar actual income
📊
$40,316
Total Expenses
Full-year (incl. projections)
🏦
$23,081
Projected End Balance
Sept 2026 estimate
🍽️
$25,780
Kabab House Food
Primary food vendor — all year
🍕
$2,156
Dominos (Actual)
Nov–Mar only
🛒
$7,160
Groceries & Other
Costco, BJs, misc ops
🐔
$5,220
Chicken Hut
Nov–Mar actual
Community Impact
What We've Accomplished
Every number here represents a real person, a real family, a real moment of dignity restored.
🏛️
Milestone Achievement · 2025
Officially a 501(c)(4) Nonprofit
Empathy Soup Kitchen has received its IRS 501(c)(4) — a landmark milestone that unlocks federal grant eligibility, corporate matching programs, fully tax-deductible donations for all supporters, and long-term institutional credibility. This transforms ESK from a grassroots initiative into a formally recognized public charity, opening doors that were previously out of reach.
Tax-Deductible
All Donations
Grant Eligible
Foundation Funding
🍱
80+
Fed Every Weekend
Serving 40 people each Saturday and 40 each Sunday — hot, freshly prepared meals delivered with care and respect, every week without fail.
🏢
80
Monthly Large-Scale Feeding
Once a month we partner with a different soup kitchen to serve 80+ people in a larger setting, expanding our reach and building coalition with peer organizations.
🛒
Quarterly
Grocery Support Program
Every 3–4 months, we distribute full grocery packages to families in need — stocking pantries, relieving financial pressure, and ensuring nutritional stability.
🚗
1
Car for a Refugee Family
We helped a refugee family in need obtain a vehicle — transforming their ability to access work, healthcare, school, and community with independence and dignity.
🕌
Multi
Masjid Renovation Support
Provided hands-on and financial support to renovation projects at other masajid in our region, strengthening the broader Muslim community infrastructure.
📅
52+
Consecutive Weeks of Service
Through rain, cold, Ramadan, and Eid — our volunteers have not missed a single weekend of service this fiscal year. Consistency is our promise to the community.
Budget Breakdown
Monthly Income & Expenses
📌 Data Note: November 2025 through March 2026 reflect actual recorded figures. April through September 2026 are forward projections based on current spending patterns and expected donations.
Monthly Income vs. Expenses Nov–Mar Actual
Running Balance Trajectory Incl. Projections
Expense Mix (Full Year)
Expense Breakdown by Month Apr–Sept = Projected
Full Monthly Ledger
● Actual ● Projected
Month Income Kabab House Dominos Chicken Hut Groceries Other Total Expense Net Balance
TOTAL $22,275 $25,780 $2,156 $5,220 $5,579 $1,581 $40,316 –$18,041 —
Forward Projections
Apr–Sept 2026 Outlook
Based on current spending run-rate of ~$3,100/month with no additional income assumed unless fundraising events are held.
Projected Balance Runway 6-Month Forecast
Cumulative Income vs. Cumulative Spend
⚠️
Fundraising Gap
At current spend rate, the fund will decline from $43K (Mar) to ~$23K (Sept) without new donations. A mid-year fundraiser of $5,000–$10,000 would extend runway through 2027.
✅
Sustainable Through Sept
The current $41K starting balance is sufficient to cover all projected expenses through September 2026 even with zero additional donations — a strong financial cushion.
🎯
Ramadan Spike Opportunity
March 2026 saw $16,953 in a single month — the Ramadan effect. Annual fundraising should be anchored to this window with a structured campaign goal of $20,000+.
Strategic Analysis
SWOT — Community & Financial
An honest look at where ESK stands and what the path forward looks like.
S
Strengths
  • Strong $41K starting reserve — rare for community-run initiatives
  • Consistent weekly service with zero service interruptions
  • Faith-driven volunteer base with high intrinsic motivation
  • Multi-vendor food sourcing (Kabab House, Chicken Hut, Dominos, Costco)
  • Ramadan campaigns proven to generate large single-month donations ($16,953 in Mar)
  • Expanded impact beyond food — cars, masjid renovation, groceries
  • Officially 501(c)(4) certified — unlocks grants, matching & tax-deductible giving
  • Strong community trust and word-of-mouth network
W
Weaknesses
  • Income is heavily irregular — concentrated in Ramadan, sparse other months
  • No recurring donor base or membership program to stabilize cash flow
  • Balance declining at ~$3,000+/month without new fundraising
  • Manual spreadsheet tracking — no nonprofit accounting software
  • No dedicated digital donation infrastructure beyond informal channels
  • Volunteer burnout risk with small core team running large programs
  • No dedicated digital donation platform — still reliant on informal channels
O
Opportunities
  • Monthly giving program — even $25/month from 50 donors = $15K/year
  • Corporate matching programs — 501(c)(4) status makes ESK eligible immediately
  • Zakat and Sadaqah-designated campaigns during Islamic calendar peaks
  • Foundation & government grants — now accessible with 501(c)(4) status
  • Social media impact storytelling to attract new donors nationwide
  • Partner with local schools/universities for volunteer pipelines
  • In-kind donations (food, supplies) from grocery chains reduce cash burn
  • Annual gala or fundraising dinner (like Eid Dinner model)
T
Threats
  • Food cost inflation — current $3K/month could rise 10–15% annually
  • Donor fatigue if outreach is only during Ramadan window
  • Reserve depletion by mid-2027 without sustained fundraising
  • Volunteer attrition — loss of key organizers disrupts operations
  • Competition for donor dollars in a crowded Muslim charity space
  • Dependency on single food vendor (Kabab House = 64% of food spend)
  • Economic downturns reduce discretionary charitable giving
Recommended Actions
Ideas to Amplify Impact
Practical, high-leverage actions ESK can take to grow sustainability and community reach.
💵 Revenue
Launch a Monthly Giving Program
Set up a "Feed a Family" recurring donation at $25, $50, or $100/month. Even 40 monthly donors at $50 generates $24,000/year — enough to cover 8 months of operations. Use Zeffy or Givebutter (0% platform fee).
💵 Revenue
Annual ESK Fundraising Gala
Model a ticketed dinner event (similar to the Eid Dinner framework) with a $75–$100/head goal. 150 attendees at $80 = $12,000 in one night. Sponsorship tables from local businesses could double that figure.
💵 Revenue
Ramadan 30-Day Challenge
Structure a "Feed for 30 Days" Ramadan campaign where donors sponsor one day of meals ($120). 30 sponsors = $3,600. With social sharing mechanics, this can 10x. Launch 2 weeks before Ramadan.
🤝 Community
School & University Partnerships
Partner with local MSAs (Muslim Student Associations) and university service-learning programs for semester-long volunteer cohorts. This brings fresh energy, logistics support, and a pipeline of future donors.
🌟 Impact
ESK Care Packages Program
Formalize the grocery support into a branded quarterly "ESK Care Package" — standardized box with pantry essentials. Sponsors can "fund a box" ($60–$80). Makes impact tangible and shareable on social media.
🌟 Impact
Refugee Resettlement Support Fund
The car donation was transformative — formalize this as a dedicated "New Beginnings" fund for refugee families. Accept targeted donations for specific needs (car, first month's rent, school supplies). Donors love earmarked impact.
✅ Unlocked
Leverage Your 501(c)(4) — Start Applying for Grants
ESK is now 501(c)(4) certified. Immediately pursue: USDA TEFAP food grants, local community foundation grants ($5K–$25K each), corporate foundation grants from Walmart, Target & Costco foundations, and United Way partnership funding. One successful grant can fund 6+ months of operations.
⚙️ Operations
In-Kind Food Partnerships
Approach Costco, Sam's Club, or local halal grocery stores for in-kind donations or wholesale pricing agreements. Reducing food costs by even 15% saves ~$3,800/year. Many retailers have CSR budgets for exactly this type of partnership.
🤝 Community
Impact Report & Storytelling
Publish an annual impact report (like this one) with photos, testimonials, and numbers. Share on social media consistently — not just during Ramadan. Every volunteer shift, every meal served is a story worth telling. Transparency builds donor trust.