Gowrie Group launches fundraising challenge

Every year Nov. 1-Dec. 31, Gowrie Group, a Division of Risk Strategies, challenges their local community of businesses and friends to team together to raise money to benefit The Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries. This year, Gowrie Group has set a goal of $ 200,000 for the SSKP.

Food pantries across the country are reporting that twice as many families are in need. At the height of the 2020 COVID- 19 emergency this spring, Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries served double the number of pantry guests and continues to serve an additional 50 percent more in comparison to last year. Because the need has been so great, the SSKP distributed as much food by the end of August as they normally give out for an entire year – over 1 million pounds, according to a statement.

To launch this year’s challenge, Gowrie Group is doubling their matching gift to $ 60,000, of which $ 30,000 is a personal pledge from Carter Gowrie.

Six local companies have stepped forward as Partner Sponsors: LC Doane Company, Tower Labs, Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, Sound Rigging, BrandTech Scientific, and Essex Financial. The Partner Sponsors have all increased their donations over past years, providing an additional $ 42,000 in matching funds.

With over $ 100,000 in available matching funds, donations will be doubled dollar- for- dollar.

Since the Gowrie Challenge began in 2004, Gowrie's efforts have raised more the $ 1.8 million to benefit SSKP. This year, Gowrie Group is determined to break the Two Million Dollar Mark of total dollars raised for the SSKP over the past 17 Gowrie Challenges.

Online donations at: donatenow.networkforgood.org/SSKP ( select “Gowrie Challenge” as designation) Donations by mail: The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, Attn: Gowrie Challenge, PO Box 804, Essex, CT 06426 ( note “Gowrie Challenge” on the check).