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SAMARITAN CENTER INC
SYRACUSE, NY · EIN 161328786 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Medium ($1M-$10M) · samcenter.org
revenue
$1.9M
expenses
$1.2M
net assets
$7.5M
employees
13
volunteers
1,500
program ratio
74%
mission · from form 990

TO SERVE FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED IN A CARING SETTING, AT NO CHARGE, TO COORDINATE EFFORTS OF VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED AND TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE POOR AND HUNGRY IN THE CITY OF SYRACUSE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Food service organization based in Syracuse, NY, providing hot meals 365 days a year to individuals and families in need, regardless of background. Offers wraparound support including case management, basic needs distribution, and housing transition assistance. Operates with a small staff and over 1,000 monthly volunteers, serving a community where food insecurity and poverty are widespread.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Basic Needs Distribution
Twice-weekly distribution of donated hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, and deodorant to guests, addressing needs not covered by SNAP.
Case Management and Agency Outreach
One-on-one support connecting guests with resources for housing, employment, healthcare, and benefits, with on-site access to community agencies.
Daily Meal Program
Provides hot, nutritious meals 365 days a year to individuals and families in need, no questions asked, served by volunteers and staff.
Diaper Distribution
Monthly distribution of diapers, wipes, and baby care items in partnership with the CNY Diaper Bank for low-income families with young children.
My Place Program
Provides household essentials like dishes, bedding, and kitchenware to individuals transitioning from shelters to permanent housing.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 2 activities
    • Coordinates volunteer engagement
      Engages over 1,000 volunteers monthly in meal service, toiletry collection, facility maintenance, and committee work, relying on more than 35 volunteers per day to support operations.
    • Provides hot meals year-round
      Distributes hot meals every day of the year, serving over 88,000 meals annually to individuals in need.
  • Diaper and Baby Supply Distribution 2 activities
    • Hosts monthly diaper distribution program
      Partners with CNY Diaper Bank to distribute diapers, baby wipes, and other essentials to enrolled families through a monthly program.
    • Operates a Basic Needs Closet for hygiene items
      Runs a twice-weekly Basic Needs Closet where individuals and families can select personal care items such as soap, toothpaste, and deodorant.
  • Furniture and Household Essentials Provision 1 activity
    • Distributes household essentials for housing transitions
      Provides household goods such as pots and pans, dishes, and sheets through the MyPlace Boxes program to support individuals transitioning from shelters into permanent housing.
  • Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
    • Offers direct case management and referrals
      Provides on-site case management and connects guests with community services and programs to address their needs.
  • Child & Youth Meal Programs 1 activity
    • Provides bagged lunches during facility closures
      Operates a bagged lunch program to distribute nutritious take-away meals when the facility is closed.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.94M
Contributions & grants$1.64M85%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$315K16%
Other revenue$-17K
expenses
Total expenses$1.17M
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$556K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.58M
Cash$386K
Investments$5.87M
Liabilities$37K
Net assets$7.54M
Liquid reserves64.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +40.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MARY BETH FREY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 70 $129K
board members · 15
  • AMY RHONE — VICE PRESIDENT
  • BARBARA KAY — DIRECTOR
  • CRAIG BREED — PRESIDENT
  • JAMES MILLER — DIRECTOR
  • JIM BARR — SECRETARY
  • JOHN SINDONI — DIRECTOR
  • KIMBERLY MURPHY — DIRECTOR
  • KRISTEN STEIN — TREASURER
  • MARK OLSON — DIRECTOR
  • MATT LUMIA — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL DOOLITTLE — DIRECTOR
  • MICHAEL RUF — DIRECTOR
  • RICHARD NAVE — DIRECTOR
  • STEPHANIE SALANGER — DIRECTOR
  • THOMAS RESCH — DIRECTOR
relationships · 4

Who they work with

  • Amy Rossi Partner — Volunteer Coordinator responsible for managing volunteer applications and scheduling.
  • CNY Diaper Bank Partner — Partner organization collaborating on monthly diaper distribution for enrolled families.
  • The Lodge at Skaneateles Partner — Host venue for the Good Samaritan Event.
  • Tuscarora Golf Club Partner — Host venue for the Samaritan Center's annual Soup Bowl Open golf tournament.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Client-Choice Model
    methodology: client_choice_model
    By allowing guests to select their own personal care items rather than receiving pre-packed parcels, the organization increases dignity and autonomy, which in turn promotes engagement and more effective use of resources.
  • Collective Community Action Model
    methodology: community_collective_action
    By mobilizing community-wide participation and collective action, the organization amplifies its impact beyond individual service delivery to create systemic and transformative change.
  • Community Collaboration Over Service Duplication
    methodology: community_collaboration
    By connecting guests to existing community services rather than replicating them in-house, the organization strengthens the broader support ecosystem and ensures guests receive specialized, coordinated care.
  • Dignity-Centered Service Integration
    methodology: dignity_centered_service
    By integrating emotional and social support with material assistance, the organization fosters a culture of dignity and belonging, which enhances client engagement and program effectiveness.
  • Relationship-Based Case Management
    methodology: relationship_based_support
    By working collaboratively with guests rather than acting on their behalf, the organization supports individualized paths out of poverty, fostering trust and sustained engagement that improves long-term outcomes.