The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries is an interfaith service that provides food and fellowship to those in need and educates our community on hunger and poverty.Gowrie Group, now a part of Risk Strategies, a leading national specialty insurance and risk management firm, began this annual Challenge in 2004 to benefit the SSKP. Over the 19-year history of the Gowrie Challenge, we have raised over $2,600,000 for the SSKP, which equates to providing nearly 11 million meals to people in need in our community. The 2022 Gowrie Challenge which raised $300,000, shattered our $200,000 goal, and our previous challenge record of $290,390 which was achieved in 2020.
Amy Hollis, SSKP Executive Director said, "Inspired and grateful is how I feel when I try to process the generosity from Carter Gowrie, Gowrie Group, Risk Strategies, Partner Sponsors, and community. Each act of kindness and support is transformative in ensuring access to food for our neighbors in need. Thank you!"
Hunger exists on the Connecticut Shoreline and the long lasting COVID-19 pandemic continues to drive the need for food services to unprecedented levels. The rising cost of groceries along with the increased cost of many basic services, is resulting in more of our neighbors experiencing or being at risk of food insecurity. In 2022, the SSKP shared over 1.7 million pounds of food, 26% more than pre-pandemic years.
Carter Gowrie, Gowrie Group Founder, shared, “I am very excited to announce that the Gowrie Challenge raised $300,000 for the SSKP. A special thank you to all that donated, our Partner Sponsors, and media sponsors. The SSKP continues to work tirelessly to fight hunger along the shoreline despite rising costs of groceries.”
To meet this significant increase in need for food services, the Gowrie Challenge once again doubled their support with a matching gift of $60,000, of which $30,000 was a personal pledge from Carter Gowrie. Six local companies stepped forward as Partner Sponsors: LC Doane, Tower Labs, Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, Sound Rigging, BrandTech Scientific, and Essex Financial. The Partner Sponsors all increased their donations over past years. Together, Gowrie and the Partner Sponsors donated over $100,000 in matching funds to double the impact of all other donations, dollar-for-dollar, to help our neighbors. The Gowrie Challenge was fortunate to also receive significant donations from the Clinton Rotary Club, Essex Rotary Club, CHUBB, Essex Community Fund, George Schmitt & Company, Liberty Bank Foundation, Lee Company, Essex Garden Club and Risk Strategies Foundation.
Stephen Brinkmann, BrandTech Scientific President & CEO, shared, “Congratulations to the entire team who helped the 2022 Gowrie SSKP Challenge again exceed its goals! BrandTech Scientific is so proud to be part of this effort year after year. We have a formula where our employees contributions are internally matched, and then our company matches those combined dollars. In this way each dollar contributed by our team members become four to benefit SSKP. Our team is so thrilled to support this vital resource for our community.”
Gowrie Group's parent company, Risk Strategies, also believes strongly in the need to give back and support local communities. The Risk Strategies Foundation generously donated to the 2022 Gowrie SSKP Challenge. We would also like to thank those who spread the word about this effort. Morning radio personality, Bob Muscatel of WLIS/WMRD, updated the community throughout the Challenge from his radio station. Shore Publishing provided a series of print advertisements in local papers across the shoreline.
Pictured (left to right): Claire Bellerjeau (SSKP Director of Development), Laura Maxson (Gowrie – Risk Strategies Sr. Marketing Coordinator), Amy Hollis (SSKP Executive Director), Stephen Brinkmann (BrandTech President), Whitney Peterson (Gowrie – Risk Strategies Director of Marketing) and Carter Gowrie (Gowrie Group Founder).
