named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Empty Bowls
Annual fundraising event where guests donate $25 to receive a handmade ceramic bowl and soup; all proceeds support IFC's food distribution efforts
Food Distribution Program
Collects and distributes thousands of pounds of non-perishable food monthly to 25–30 affiliated pantries, senior housing, and crisis response providers
Food Drive Coordination
Organizes and supports community food drives, including major annual drives during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and USPS Food Drive
Referral Service
Assists individuals in locating the nearest emergency food pantry in their neighborhood
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 3 activities
- Collects and distributes donated food to emergency food programs and individuals in needReceives, collects, and distributes over 10,000 pounds (5+ tons) of non-perishable food and hygiene products monthly to emergency food programs, smaller pantries, senior housing facilities, social workers, and individuals in Onondaga County, NY. Serves over 12,000 individuals annually through this distribution network.
- Conducts pandemic-era door-to-door food delivery for quarantined familiesProvided daily, door-to-door food deliveries seven days a week to families in isolation and quarantine during the pandemic, based on referrals from the Onondaga County Health Department.
- Provides targeted food assistance to refugee, immigrant, and New American populationsDelivers food support to refugee, immigrant, and New American communities in Syracuse, NY through a partnership with Interfaith Works, ensuring culturally appropriate and accessible services.
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Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
- Holds collaborative meetings with local pantry members to address hunger strategiesConvenes meetings with Onondaga County food pantry members to discuss coordinated strategies and solutions for addressing local hunger, functioning as a capacity-building hub for the emergency food network.
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Charity Golf Tournament Fundraiser 1 activity
- Hosts annual Empty Bowls fundraising event to support food operationsOrganizes the Empty Bowls fundraising event annually in Syracuse, NY since 2004—typically held each September at the Everson Museum—which features the sale of over 1,600 handmade ceramic bowls created by local artists, university students, and staff, and generates over half of the organization’s annual budget.
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Intake and Referral Coordination 1 activity
- Operates as a referral service for emergency food programsConnects individuals seeking food assistance with the nearest emergency food programs and pantries in Onondaga County by fielding over 80 calls monthly and providing targeted referrals.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$89K
Contributions & grants$65K72%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$2K2%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$81K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$41K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$137K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$137K
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +20.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KATE ARTESSA | DIRECTOR | 25 | $38K |
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Artisan Coffee Partner — Local business contributing to or supporting the Empty Bowls event.
- Bistro at Drumlins Country Club Partner — Restaurant partner that donates soup for the Empty Bowls event.
- Byrdos Mediterranean Cafe Partner — Restaurant partner that donates soup for the Empty Bowls event.
- Clayscapes Partner — Co-sponsors the annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser to support IFC.
- Clayscapes Partner — Local partner organization contributing handmade ceramic bowls for the Empty Bowls event.
- Dinosaur BarBQue Partner — Restaurant partner that donates soup for the Empty Bowls event.
- Interfaith Works Partner — Partnership to address food insecurity among refugee, immigrant, and New American populations.
- Kitty O'Shea's Partner — Restaurant partner that donates food for the Empty Bowls event.
- Local potters Partner — Collaborate to create handmade bowls for the annual Empty Bowls fundraising event.
- Onondaga County Health Department Partner — Referred families in isolation and quarantine during the pandemic for food delivery services.
- Onondaga County Pantry Members Partner — Collaborates with local pantry members to discuss and coordinate responses to hunger in Onondaga County.
- PHOEBE'S Partner — Restaurant partner that donates soup for the Empty Bowls event.
- Santa Angela's Partner — Restaurant partner that donates soup for the Empty Bowls event.
- St. Patrick Hunger Project Partner — Partner organization that delivered food to Interreligious Food Consortium
- St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee Partner — Supports IFC through contributions or collaboration.
- Strong Hearts Partner — Restaurant or food service partner contributing to the Empty Bowls event.
- Syracuse University Ceramics Arts Dept. Partner — Co-sponsors the annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser to support IFC.
- religious organizations Partner — Religious organizations contribute donations to support IFC's operations.
strategies · 3
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.
- Community-Led Food Drives with Themed Engagementmethodology: community-led food drivesBy organizing themed food drives, the organization increases community engagement and donation volumes because relatable, event-based campaigns motivate participation and deepen public connection to the cause of fighting hunger.
- Localized, Community-Driven Distribution Networkmethodology: localized_distributionBy operating through a decentralized, localized distribution model in high-need urban areas, the organization reaches underserved populations more effectively because proximity and community trust increase access and utilization of services.
- Private and Faith-Based Community Funding Modelmethodology: private-funding modelBy relying exclusively on private donations and faith-based community support rather than government funding, the organization maintains operational independence and strengthens donor commitment because contributors perceive direct moral and spiritual alignment with the mission.