irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $5.73MCommunity Solidarity collects fruit and vegetable plants flowers and seeds and shares them directly to people in need across Long Island and the NYC Metropolitan area. This is done to foster sustainable food sources for people in need and to increase the general nutrition in the geographic regions of our operations. In 2023 Community Solidarity collected and distributed an estimated 823,130 pounds of plants seeds flowers and other gardening materials This expense can be seen on Part IX: Line 24b.
- #2 $1.57MCommunity Solidarity collects and shares new used clothing and home goods for distribution directly to people in need across Long Island and the NYC metropolitan area. In 2023 Community Solidarity collected and distributed an estimated 98,820 items of clothing. These included thousands of winter jackets sweaters shoes hats socks jeans and dress clothes. Community Solidarity also distributed various home goods that included items like personal computers blankets and towels. This also includes over 232,740 pounds of toiletry items like diapers shampoo and tooth brushes. This expense can be seen on Part IX: Line 24c.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
211 Long Island
24/7 information and referral helpline for health and human services on Long Island
Coordinated Entry
Assessment and referral system for homeless housing resources in Nassau and Suffolk counties
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
State and county program providing heating bill assistance, emergency HEAP, and equipment repair for low-income households
Meals on Wheels - Nassau
Home-delivered meals and supportive services for homebound seniors
Project Warmth
Emergency home heating assistance program for Nassau, Suffolk, and Rockaways residents
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 3 activities
- Operating a searchable online directory of food resourcesMaintains and operates a publicly accessible online directory that lists food pantries, soup kitchens, food shares, and community fridges across Long Island and New York City to improve access to local food assistance programs.
- Operating weekly Food Share events for free grocery and essential distributionDistributes free vegetarian groceries, fresh organic produce, and 100% vegan prepared meals through weekly outdoor "Food Share" events held year-round across Long Island and New York City. These supermarket-style distributions provide most or all of a family's weekly food needs without requiring identification, paperwork, or eligibility screening.
- Rescuing and redistributing surplus nutritious foodCollects donated surplus food from restaurants, farms, stores, and other establishments via scheduled or on-demand pickups and redistributes millions of pounds annually to address food insecurity. In 2025, rescued over 11.3 million pounds of vegetarian groceries, contributing to more than 101.5 million grams of protein distributed.
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Community Event-Based Giving Programs 1 activity
- Distributing non-food essentials including clothing, books, and school suppliesProvides free clothing for all ages and seasons, books (especially educational titles), toys, school supplies, bicycles, appliances, and home goods at Food Share locations. In 2025, distributed over 118,743 items of clothing, 38,542 books, 14,660 toys, and $692,365 worth of hygiene products.
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Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
- Supporting community gardening and local food productionDistributes gardening supplies, fruit tree seedlings (via the "Peach Tree Project"), vegetable starts, flowers, and plants to promote local food-growing capacity. In the prior year, distributed 46,504.5 pounds of fruit trees and vegetable starts with an estimated annual yield of over 255,000 pounds of produce. Also composts organic waste for use in community gardens.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$35.19M
Contributions & grants$35.19M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$35.22M
Program expenses100%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$86K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$365K
Cash$322K
Investments$0
Liabilities$4K
Net assets$361K
Liquid reserves0.1 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue -11.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jon Stepanian | President and CEO | 80 | $80K |
board members · 3
- Justin Wilkerson — Secretary
- Rich Bebenroth — Treasure
- Rose Zacchi — Chair
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act Government — Federal law that protects donors from civil liability, referenced in guidance to business donors.
- Feeding America Network — Member of national food bank network
- Food Not Bombs Network — Originally founded as a Food Not Bombs chapter; continues to align with its principles including food as a human right and community-based decision-making.
- Food Share Partner — Network of distribution sites operated jointly to provide groceries to individuals in need across Long Island.
- Grow to Give Partner — Collaborates with Community Solidarity to grow produce and seedlings for distribution at Food Share locations.
- Hempstead, NY Partner — Location where Community Solidarity operates its hunger relief program and community shares.
- local businesses Partner — Collaborates with local businesses through food rescue programs to collect and distribute groceries and necessities.
- volunteers Partner — Network of volunteers who rescue food and other necessities 24/7 to support distribution efforts
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.
- Food as a Right and Dignity-Centered Accessmethodology: dignity-centered_serviceBy providing no-barrier, unconditional access to nutritious food, the organization affirms food as a fundamental human right rather than charity, because this approach reduces stigma, upholds dignity, and increases engagement among recipients.
- Interconnected Systems Change Modelmethodology: interconnected-oppression_frameworkBy addressing hunger, environmental destruction, and animal suffering as interlinked crises, the organization advances systemic change through plant-based food rescue and sustainable practices, because solutions that simultaneously improve human health, reduce waste, and protect animals create greater collective impact.
- Root Cause Intervention through Community Empowermentmethodology: community-empowerment_cycleBy integrating food distribution with opportunities for mutual aid, gardening, and service participation, the organization fosters a self-reinforcing cycle of empowerment, because engaging recipients as active contributors addresses root causes of poverty and builds long-term community resilience.