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Together We Can Fight Hunger

2018Annual Report

461 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT 06906

Ph: 203.358.8898 • www.foodbanklfc.org

Officers and Directors of The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc.October 18, 2018

Seated: Hiroshi Nakajima, President; Kate Lombardo, Executive Director; and Sam Cingari, Chairperson.Standing: John R. Downey, Vice President; Fred Lorthioir; Mark E. Diamond, Corporate Secretary;

and Timothy F. McGuinness.Not Pictured: Donald J. Polchinski, Treasurer.

Kate Lombardo, Executive DirectorFormer Compliance Officer - Goldman Sachs

Hiroshi Nakajima, President Architect

Donald J. Polchinski, TreasurerCPA; Senior Director - RSM US LLP

Fred Lorthioir

CFO - Landfall Navigation

The Board of Directors

Sam Cingari, ChairpersonCFO - Grade A Markets, Inc.

John R. Downey, Vice PresidentPartner - Rome, McGuigan law firm

Mark E. Diamond, Corporate Secretary

Attorney at Law

Timothy F. McGuinness

Staff VP of Global Trade Expositions

International Council of Shopping Centers

December 2018

Dear Friends,

The year 2018 was a challenging, yet successful, one for The Food Bank of

Lower Fairfield County (“The Food Bank”). Like most nonprofit organizations,

cash donations were negatively affected by the near doubling of the standard

deduction implemented by the 2017 federal tax law. Fortunately, the decrease in

cash donations was not significant enough to impact The Food Bank’s operations.

And, although we continued to experience high demand for emergency food

from the food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens we serve, we were again able

to meet the needs of our participating communities by providing more than

1.2 million pounds of nutritious food through our approximately ninety (90)

nonprofit member agencies and programs that deal directly with the people living

in lower Fairfield County who rely on emergency food. In 2018, these member

agencies and programs reported serving over 4 million meals to approximately

180,000 individuals who fell within or below the H.U.D. Low Income limits.

The Food Bank is the only food bank located in lower Fairfield County, Connecticut. An independent food bank,

The Food Bank provided emergency food solely to nonprofit agencies located in Darien, Greenwich, New

Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, and Wilton, which, in turn, distributed the food to individuals. We are one of the

area’s primary hunger relief organizations. We solicit, sort, warehouse and distribute donated and purchased

food from such sources as local distributors, wholesalers, local merchants, food drives and generous individuals.

Hundreds of families in lower Fairfield County which were once members of the middle class, now depend and

rely upon The Food Bank as a food source, and the number of people relying on charitable organizations is, sadly,

constantly growing. The food lines are comprised of the chronically poor, the working poor, some of whom have

two or three jobs, the elderly, and those who have endured long term unemployment. Many of these unemployed

workers are also facing the challenges that come when their unemployment compensation benefits have been

exhausted. In addition, many are coping with a reduction in their food stamp allocation. To some extent, this is

the result of the continuation of the harsh time limits on SNAP benefits (food stamps), imposed on April 1, 2016,

for most adults aged 18-49 who are not raising children and do not qualify for disability insurance. Such

individuals are limited to just three months of SNAP benefits in any 36-month period if they are not working or

in a work or training program for at least 20 hours per week. These time limits apply to five of the six cities and

towns served by The Food Bank. Norwalk is the lone exception.

As our ninety member nonprofit agencies and programs will attest, The Food Bank’s success comes from its

hard working, core group of employees and the scores of volunteers, who together bring our goals to life so

we can help our member agencies thrive and their communities prosper. Finally, I wish to extend my heartfelt

thanks to our compassionate donors whose unflagging support enables The Food Bank to meet its mission.

With warmest regards,

Kate Lombardo

Executive Director 1

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Kate Lombardo, Executive DirectorMartin S. Cohen, Assistant Executive DirectorAmy Tarantino, Office ManagerRosemarie M. Caldarone, Office AssistantWillie J. Johnson, Warehouse Store Manager

Steven Garcia, Warehouse Store Associate ManagerRony Garcia, Facilities SupervisorAlfredo Andino, Jr., DriverTomas Maldonado, DriverEliecer (“JR”) Rodriguez, Jr., Warehouse Store Assistant

Food Bank Headquarters Staff

Warehouse Store Manager Willie J. Johnsonoperating the forklift.

Right: Van drivers Alfredo Andino, Jr. and Tomas Maldonado unloading boxes(known as “banana boxes”) of food donated by local supermarkets.

Local food retailers that donate food to The Food Bank include Grade AShopRite, Palmer’s Market, Stop & Shop, Trader Joe’s, Acme Markets, Costco,

Village Market, By the Way Bakery, and the Cheesecake Factory.

Among his duties Facilities SupervisorRony Garcia drives The Food Bank’sbox truck.

Warehouse Store Associate Manager StevenGarcia and Warehouse Store Assistant Eliecer“JR” Rodriguez, Jr. sorting donated food.

Above: Amy Tarantino, Office Manager; Martin S. Cohen, Assistant Executive Director; Kate Lombardo, Executive Director; Rosemarie M. Caldarone, Office Assistant

It is estimated that in Fairfield County, a family of four

(two adults and two children) needs an annual salary of

about $71,000 to avoid being “food insecure” i.e., lacking

reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable,

nutritious food. Often, the working poor earn only

Connecticut’s minimum wage, which in 2018 is $10.10

per hour. At the 2018 minimum wage rate, both adults

would have to work 10 hours a day, 7 days a week for the

entire year, just to earn $70,700. This family cannot make

ends meet despite both adults working 10 hour days. Faced

with this dilemma, many must choose between eating

nutritiously or paying the rent. Therefore, they are forced

to obtain food via food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters

that are member agencies of The Food Bank of Lower

Fairfield County.

• In Connecticut, one out of every six children

is hungry or at risk of hunger. School

holidays and vacations are an additional strain,

as these children will not receive subsidized

or free breakfast and lunch through National

School Lunch Program while not in school.

• In lower Fairfield County, the need for

emergency food from The Food Bank has had a

68% increase in volume in just the past 5 years.

HUNGER FACTS

The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc.

(sometimes herein referred to as “The Food Bank")

originated in 1984 as an agency of the Council of

Churches and Synagogues. In January 2003, The

Food Bank became an independent entity with its

own board of directors. The Food Bank is a

Connecticut nonprofit corporation that is classified

as a public charity and is exempt from Federal

income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal

Revenue Code. The Food Bank is the only food bank located in lower Fairfield County. It providesfood to about 90 nonprofit agencies and programsthat serve low income people in a six-town servicearea of lower Fairfield County (Darien, Greenwich,New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, and Wilton)through bags of groceries and congregate meals.

These include soup kitchens, food pantries, child

care programs, homeless shelters, senior centers,

domestic violence safe houses, and rehabilitation

programs.

About Us…

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Greenwich

Stamford

Darien

New Canaan

Norwalk

Wilton

Our six-townservice area

During the year ended December 31, 2018, The Food

Bank distributed 1,251,765 pounds of food to its

member agencies at a savings to them of more than

$2 million over the wholesale cost of the food.

These agencies reported serving over 4 million meals

during this period.

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DONATE FOOD

HOW OUR PROGRAM WORKS

monetary donations

local supermarkets & merchants

The Food Bank solicits, collects, sorts, warehouses and distributes food. Member agencies “shop”at The FoodBank’s warehouse store from Monday through Friday.

··

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·

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individualsreligious and civic organizationsfoundations

corporations and companiesUnited Ways

a community fundfederal programs

bulk food purchasesfrom food

wholesalers atreduced cost

MARKET

At present, The Food Bank distributes food to about 90 nonprofit member agencies and programs through

congregate meals or bags of groceries.

The Food Bank is the hub of emergency food distribution in lower Fairfield County.

Soup Kitchens

1%

After School

Programs 1%

Day Programs

1%

Pantries 82%

Residential Programs 11%

Shelters 4%

The Food Bank distributes food to nonprofit agencies and programs that deal directly with people living in lower Fairfield County whoare in need of emergency food. Providing nutritious food supports the recipients’ health, leading to reduced illness, less absenteeismfrom school and work, and better school performance by children. The Food Bank’s member agencies reported that in 2018, morethan four million meals were provided to individuals living at or below the low/moderate income guidelines established by H.U.D.

individuals national manufacturers

local food drives

n Abilis12 Orchard Street101 Orchard StreetArthur StreetCourtland Hill StreetCross Ridge DriveEast Elm StreetFieldstone RoadGlenbrook RoadGlenville StreetHoyt StreetKensett RidgeLennox AvenueLittle Hill DriveMaplewood PlacePark AvenuePemberwick RoadProspect StreetPrudence DriveSanford LaneSioux PlaceSummer StreetTurn of River RoadWatchtowner Lane

n Bible Church of Norwalk Pantry

n Boys & Girls Club

n Broad River Homes

n Deliverance Center World Ministries Pantry

n Domestic Violence Crisis CenterNorwalkStamford

n Exchange Club Parenting Skills

n Faith Tabernacle Church Pantry

n Filling in the Blanks

Qualified Member Agencies and Programs

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In 2018, The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County distributed

1.2 million poundsof nutritious food through our approximately90 member agencies and programs.

The distribution of food donatedto or purchased by The FoodBank has surpassed 1,000,000pounds annually since 2015.

2015 2016 2017 2018

1,301,766pounds of food 1,235,941

pounds of food1,251,765pounds of food1,187,473

pounds of food

n French Speaking Baptist Church Pantry

n Greater Emmanuel Apostolic Church Pantry

n Haitian American Catholic Center Pantry

n InspiricaAtlantic Park Supporting HousingColony Supporting HousingEarly Childhood ParentingFamily HousingGilead HouseMcKinney HouseSummer PlaceWomen’s Housing

n Jewish Family Services Pantry

n Malta House Pantry

n Mark of Excellence Day Care

n Mental Health CT

n Neighbor to Neighbor Pantry

n New Canaan Food Pantry

n New Covenant CenterPantrySoup Kitchen

n New Life Church Pantry

n New Neighborhoods, Inc.The AtlanticBelltown ManorFriendship HouseMarshall CommonsMLKStillwater Heights

n Norwalk Salvation ArmyPantry Soup Kitchen

n Open Door ShelterPantry ShelterSoup Kitchen

n Pacific HouseBerkley HouseShelterTransitional Living Program

n PathwaysDavis Supervised Apts.Fellowship ProgramMilbank Group Home

n Person-to-PersonDarienNorwalkStamford

n Pilgrim Towers

n Silver Source Senior Support

n Tabernacle of Grace Church Pantry

n United Jewish Federation Backpack Program

n Wilson Memorial Food Pantry

n Wilton Interfaith Pantry

n Y.M.C.A of Stamford

n Zion Lutheran Church Pantry

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The Food Bank has been very fortunate to receive funding from a variety of sources including individuals,

congregations, corporations, public and private schools, corporate and private foundations, Community

Development Block Grants, United Ways, and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.

About Our Supporters

A Decade of Support from Hitachi Capital America and itsNorwalk Employees

On September 6, 2018, the Food Bank

received a total of $8,500 in donations from

Hitachi Capital America Corp. (“HCA”) and

employees from its Norwalk office. We are

very proud to note that this was the 10th

straight year that HCA and its Norwalk

employees conducted a fundraiser in

support of The Food Bank.

Priceline.com Leads Thanksgiving EffortsOnce again, Priceline and its employees were the leaders

of The Food Bank’s Thanksgiving fundraising season.

Priceline’s Norwalk and New York City based employees

made a very significant monetary contribution to The Food

Bank, which was then matched by Priceline and used by

Priceline to purchase 19,446 pounds of food, as well as 436

turkeys, all of which were donated to The Food Bank. This

generosity played a significant part in enabling The Food

Bank to meet the Thanksgiving needs of the families who

obtain emergency food from The Food Bank’s 90 member

agencies and programs. Pictured are the Priceline employees

who offloaded the donated food at The Food Bank’s

warehouse store on November 19, 2018.

Pictured left to right: Food Bank Executive DirectorKate Lombardo, HCA Community Action Committeemember Bill Del Vecchio, HCA Community ActionCommittee member Sandi Gaetano, and Food BankAssistant Executive Director Martin S. Cohen.

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Stamp Out Hunger Food DriveAs part of the nationwide Annual StampOut Hunger food drive on May 12, 2018,

employees from the National Associationof Letter Carriers in the Stamford Post

Offices collected and

delivered over 6,000

pounds of food that was

donated by Stamford

residents to The Food

Bank.

On July 13, 2018 the Food Bank announced the receipt of

a generous $5,000 grant from the First County Bank

Foundation. We are very grateful for the First County

Bank Foundation’s continuing support of our mission to

provide nutritious food to those in need. Established in

2001, the First County Bank Foundation has awarded

over 1000 individual grants, worth over $8.2 million.

These grants benefit nonprofit organizations that directly

impact the health and well-being of individuals living and

working in lower Fairfield County. Special consideration

is given to agencies and programs, like The Food Bank,

that benefit low to moderate income populations.

In 2017-18, the Greenwich United Way donated a total of $22,000 tohelp The Food Bank feed those in need. The Greenwich United Wayhas been focused on community solutions in the areas of education, financial stability and health for over 80 years. It invests in overtwenty community initiatives.

Pictured left to right: Food Bank Assistant ExecutiveDirector Martin S. Cohen, First County Bank AssistantVice President Justyna Nurczyk, Food Bank ExecutiveDirector Kate Lombardo, and First County Bank VicePresident, Business Banking Manager Richard Evanko.

On August 22, 2018, the TD Charitable Foundation generouslyawarded The Food Bank a $5,000 grant. TD Bank, through its charitable giving arm, the TD Charitable Foundation, carries alegacy of supporting not-for-profit institutions and their importantwork throughout TD Bank’s region. The Food Bank is very gratefulthat TD Charitable Foundation supports our mission of providingemergency food to those in need residing in lower Fairfield County.

First County Bank Foundation Grant

On October 18, 2018, The

Food Bank held its 13thAnnual Chefs’ Dinner toFight Hunger at the scenic

Stamford Yacht Club. This

year’s honoree was Brett

Keller, Chief Executive

Officer of Priceline. At the

fundraiser Mr. Keller was presented with the Gene

Wilder Kindness Award by Gene Wilder’s widow,

Mrs. Karen Wilder. The award is given to those

individuals who embody the caring and generous

philanthropy that Mr.

Wilder demonstrated

for The Food Bank.

Gold sponsors of the

event were NestléWaters North America, Inc., Priceline, WebsterBank, Hitachi Capital AmericaCorp. and its employees, and

Grade A ShopRite.

The capacity crowd enjoyed a lavish five course meal

that was preceded by a cocktail hour with offerings

from seven appetizer stations, each prepared by a

well known and successful area chef. The cocktail

hour afforded our guests the opportunity to view and

bid on our many silent auction items. During the

dinner, a live auction was conducted by emcee Matt

Scott of FOX61. The participating chefs, all of whom

volunteered their time and expertise, were: DavidCingari (David’s Soundview Catering), Rob Rainone(Stamford Yacht Club), Roger Ramirez (Brasitas

Restaurants), Walter Estrada (Sign of the Whale),

Brian Bender (David’s Soundview Catering), CharlieLim (Sushi Village Caterer), Steve Costanzo (Olio

Restaurant), Michael Marchetti (Columbus Park

Trattoria), Francine Bove (J.M.Wright Technical

School Culinary Arts Team), Bryan Malcarney(Rory’s Restaurant), Stephen Lewandowski(Harlan Social), and Lisa and Steve Maronian(Sweet Lisa’s Exquisite Cakes).

Area Chefs Unite to Fight Hunger

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About Our Volunteers

Nielsen employees kept up the company tradition

and volunteered at The Food Bank’s Glenbrook Road

warehouse store on June 21, 2018 to inspect, sort and

shelve hundreds of pounds of donated food.

On June 20, 2018, sixteen employees from Price

Waterhouse Coopers generously volunteered to

inspect, sort, and shelve food in The Food Bank’s

warehouse store.

Pictured are five dedicated

people who volunteer at the

warehouse store on a regular

basis. The Food Bank has

well over 1,000 volunteers

each year.

The Food Bank welcomes volunteers to host food drives at their schools, houses of worship, civic

organizations, and places of business. At the warehouse store, volunteer duties include inspecting, sorting

and shelving food, as well as assisting shoppers. Volunteer groups have also painted the warehouse store’s

walls and floors. Furthermore, many schools and clubs visit the warehouse store and, while on site, are

given a tour and a lecture, and they view videos on The Food Bank’s operations and hunger in America.

Enthusiastic employees from Stamford-based Half

Full Brewery took a moment from their volunteer

duties to smile for the camera at The Food Bank

warehouse store on February 25, 2018.

Table of Contents

Independent Auditor’s Report .................................................................................... 1

Financial StatementsStatements of Financial Position at June 30, 2018 and 2017 ................................. 2Statements of Activities and Changes in Net Assets for the Years ......................... 3Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

Statements of Functional Expenses for the Years ............................................. 3 - 4Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ............................................................ 6 - 7Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

Notes to Financial Statements ......................................................................... 7 - 15

Page

The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc.Financial Statements

June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017

10

December 20, 2018

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

To the Board of DirectorsThe Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc.We have audited the accompanying financial statements of The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc., (a non-profit organization) which comprise the statements of financial position as of June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, andthe related statements of activities and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the financialstatements.Management’s Responsibility for the Financial StatementsManagement is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordancewith accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes the design, implemen-tation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statementsthat are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.Auditor’s ResponsibilityOur responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our auditin accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards requirethat we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are freefrom material misstatement. An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financialstatements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks ofmaterial misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments,the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial state-ments in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financialstatements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our auditopinion.OpinionIn our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial positionof The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc. as of June 30, 2018, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United Statesof America.

Studley-White, P.C.

Studley - White, P.C.ACCOUNTING - TAX - AUDITING - CONSULTING Donald T. Studley, C.P.A.

Brian C. White, C.P.A.

One Ives Street, Suite 201, P.O. Box 399, Danbury, CT 06813-0399Tele 203-748-6517 Fax 203-792-0296 www.StudleyWhiteCPA.com

See independent auditor’s report and accompanying notes to these financial statements. Page 2

THE FOOD BANK OF LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY, INC.Statement of Financial Position

At June 30,


THE FOOD BANK OF LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY, INC.Statement of Activities and Changes in Net Assets

For the Years Ended June 30,


THE FOOD BANK OF LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY, INC.Statement of Functional Expenses

For the Year Ended June 30,

THE FOOD BANK OF LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY, INC.Statement of Functional ExpensesFor the Year Ended June 30, 2018


THE FOOD BANK OF LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY, INC.Statements of Cash Flow

For the Years Ended June 30, 2017


THE FOOD BANK OF LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY, INC.Statements of Cash Flow

For the Years Ended June 30,


THE FOOD BANK OF LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY, INC.Notes to Financial Statements

At June 30, 2018

Page 8


At June 30, 2018

Page 9


At June 30, 2018

Page 10


At June 30, 2018

Page 11


At June 30, 2018

Page 12


At June 30, 2018

Page 13


At June 30, 2018

Page 14


At June 30, 2018

The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc.

461 Glenbrook Road, Stamford, CT 06906 • 203.358.8898 • www.foodbanklfc.org

The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County’s mission is to serve as

an efficient and effective provider of nutritious food to nonprofit

organizations that feed the hungry in Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan,

Norwalk, Stamford, and Wilton while seeking to raise awareness of,

and promote action to combat hunger in those communities.

Our Mission

follow @TheFoodBankLFC

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