Charity Report

  • Issued: October 2021
  • Expires: April 2024

Arlington Community Food Bank

Standards Not Met

  • 6
  • 7
  • 11
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 14
  • 15

360-435-1631

19118 63rd Ave NE
Arlington, WA 98223-8729

https://www.arlingtonfoodbank.org

360-435-1631

19118 63rd Ave NE
Arlington, WA 98223-8729

https://www.arlingtonfoodbank.org

Standards Not Met

<p><span>This organization does not meet one or more of the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Click the conclusions section below for more information.</span></p>

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight

    Oversight of Operations and Staff: Standard 1

    Description
    Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fundraising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Board Size

    Number of Board Members: Standard 2

    Description
    Soliciting organizations shall have a board of directors with a minimum of five voting members.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Board Meetings

    Frequency and Attendance of Board Meetings: Standard 3

    Description
    An organization shall have a minimum of three evenly spaced meetings per year of the full governing body with a majority in attendance, with face-to-face participation. A conference call of the full board can substitute for one of the three meetings of the governing body. For all meetings, alternative modes of participation are acceptable for those with physical disabilities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Board Compensation

    Compensated Board Members: Standard 4

    Description
    Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

    The organization meets this standard.

  5. Conflict of Interest

    Conflict of Interest: Standard 5

    Description
    No transaction(s) in which any board or staff members have material conflicting interests with the charity resulting from any relationship or business affiliation. Factors that will be considered when concluding whether or not a related party transaction constitutes a conflict of interest and if such a conflict is material, include, but are not limited to: any arm's length procedures established by the charity; the size of the transaction relative to like expenses of the charity; whether the interested party participated in the board vote on the transaction; if competitive bids were sought and whether the transaction is one-time, recurring or ongoing.

    The organization meets this standard.

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy

    Board Policy on Effectiveness: Standard 6

    Description
    Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

    Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:Its board of directors does not have a policy to document its process for and frequency of strategic planning.

  2. Effectiveness Report

    Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness: Standard 7

    Description
    Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

    Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:Its board does not approve a written report outlining the results of an effectiveness assessment.

Finances

  1. Program Expenses

    Program Service Expense Ratio: Standard 8

    Description
    Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.

    The organization meets this standard.

  2. Fundraising Expenses

    Fundraising Expense Ratio: Standard 9

    Description
    Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fundraising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fundraising efforts.

    The organization meets this standard.

  3. Accumulating Funds

    Ending Net Assets: Standard 10

    Description
    Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

    The organization meets this standard.

  4. Audit Report

    Financial Statements: Standard 11

    Description
    Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

    Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:The organization does not conduct an annual audit of its financial statements, which BBB Standards require for charities with revenues exceeding $1 million. The organization does, however, have financial statements that were reviewed by a certified public accountant (CPA). A review is an accounting service providing some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data without the CPA conducting an examination in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).

  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown

    Detailed Functional Breakdown of Expenses: Standard 12

    Description
    Include in the financial statements a breakdown of expenses (e.g., salaries, travel, postage, etc.) that shows what portion of these expenses was allocated to program, fundraising, and administrative activities. If the charity has more than one major program category, the schedule should provide a breakdown for each category.

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Accurate Expense Reporting

    Accuracy of Expenses in Financial Statements: Standard 13

    Description
    Accurately report the charity's expenses, including any joint cost allocations, in its financial statements. For example, audited or unaudited statements which inaccurately claim zero fundraising expenses or otherwise understate the amount a charity spends on fundraising, and/or overstate the amount it spends on programs will not meet this standard.

    The organization meets this standard.

  7. Budget Plan

    Budget: Standard 14

    Description
    Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fundraising, and administration.

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials

    Misleading Appeals: Standard 15

    Description
    Have solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, that are accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part. Appeals that omit a clear description of program(s) for which contributions are sought will not meet this standard. A charity should also be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures are in accordance with what is stated, expressed, or implied in the charity's solicitations.

  2. Annual Report

    Annual Report: Standard 16

    Description
    Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

    Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:The organization did not produce an annual report for the past fiscal year.

  3. Website Disclosures

    Web Site Disclosures: Standard 17

    Description
    Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

    Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:Its website, arlingtonfoodbank.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it did not include a link to the organization's most recent IRS Form 990 or an annual report.

  4. Donor Privacy

    Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy: Standard 18

    Description
    Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

    Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:The organization's website, arlingtonfoodbank.org, does not provide an accessible privacy policy that includes the recommended privacy information.

  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures

    Cause Related Marketing: Standard 19

    Description
    Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).

    The organization meets this standard.

  6. Complaints

    Complaints: Standard 20

    Description
    Respond promptly to and act on complaints brought to its attention by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and/or local Better Business Bureaus about fundraising practices, privacy policy violations and/or other issues.

    The organization meets this standard.

Conclusion

Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 6: Board Policy on Effectiveness - Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.

Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:Its board of directors does not have a policy to document its process for and frequency of strategic planning.

Standard 7: Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness - Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.

Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:Its board does not approve a written report outlining the results of an effectiveness assessment.

Standard 11: Financial Statements - Make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. When total annual gross income exceeds $1 million, these statements should be audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is sufficient to meet this standard.

Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:The organization does not conduct an annual audit of its financial statements, which BBB Standards require for charities with revenues exceeding $1 million. The organization does, however, have financial statements that were reviewed by a certified public accountant (CPA). A review is an accounting service providing some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data without the CPA conducting an examination in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).

Standard 16: Annual Report - Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fundraising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:The organization did not produce an annual report for the past fiscal year.

Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:Its website, arlingtonfoodbank.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it did not include a link to the organization's most recent IRS Form 990 or an annual report.

Standard 18: Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy - Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

Arlington Community Food Bank does not meet this standard because:The organization's website, arlingtonfoodbank.org, does not provide an accessible privacy policy that includes the recommended privacy information.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 14, 15

Arlington Community Food Bank meets the remaining 12 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Purpose

  • Year, State Incorporated

    1981, WA

  • Stated Purpose

    The ArlingtonCommunity Food Bank's mission is to help end hunger in our community at itsroot cause.


  • Also Known As:

    The Stilly Snack Shack

Programs

Arlington Food Bankoffers free, full-grocery services through a variety of ways. Curbsidedistribution, home deliveries, a mobile food pantry and community outreach withpartner agencies for our unhoused populations and more.1 in 8 people face hunger in Western Washington. 1 in 5 of them are kids.Most food bank clients have jobs and nearly all visitors to food banks havehomes. Financial and medical difficulties force many people to choose betweenfood, utilities and medicine. In other words...people just like you and Istruggle.With the generosity of corporate, civic and individual donors, the Arlington Community Food Bank is effectively taking strides to combat hunger in the community. They championself-reliance with nutrition and education programs, working with localfarmers and farming conservation programs. They advocate for change with their agency partners, Food LifeLine and Northwest Harvest, to campaign for publicpolicies and programs that address hunger at its root causes. They urge lawmakers to make food a priority by investing in policies and programs thatreduce hunger and build healthy communities. They recognize race and place arecentral determinants in individual and community health. Arlington Community Food Bank commits tocombating systems and behavior which undercut food security. They activelycultivate new strategies for under-served communities and seek to engagepeople facing hunger in both long-term solutions and day-to-day programdelivery.Arlington Community Food Bank is dedicated to ensuring no one goes hungry today, that the people ofArlington and surrounding areas experiencing hunger are at the center of all they do.Service days & food distributionhours:Monday: 5-6 p.m.Wednesday: 5:30-6:30 p.m.Friday: 12-1 p.m.Meals 'til Monday Program: Meals 'til Monday is a supplemental foodprogram for students in grades Pre-K to 12 in the Arlington School District.The program provides supplemental meal packs to students who may not otherwisehave access to food resources during non-school days. Thirty-seven percent ofstudents in the Arlington School District qualify for free or reduced lunch. Inaddition, the district has more than 230 students registered in theMcKinney-Vento Program (a homeless child or youth who lacks a fixed, regular oradequate nighttime residence). The Arlington School District identifies kids atrisk, the food bank prepares and distributes food bags weekly to each schoolfor the child to easily assemble into healthy meals at home.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, Arlington Community Food Bank program expenses were:

Program services $1,149,647
Program Expenses $1,149,647

Governance & Staff

  • CEO

    Ms. Carla Gastineau, Executive Director

  • Board Chair

    Mr. Michael Simpson, Owner/Operator

  • Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation

    Arlington Grocery Outlet

  • Board Size

    9

  • Paid Staff Size

    1

Fundraising

Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Appeals via Social Media (Facebook, etc.).

% of Related Contributions on Fundraising: 0.01%

Tax Status

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.


Financial

The following information is based on Arlington Community Food Bank's IRS Form 990 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019

Source of Funds
Contributions and grants $1,056,460
Investment income $821
Total Income $1,057,281

Breakdown of Expenses

Total Income $1,057,281
Total Expenses: $1,170,385
Program Expenses $1,149,647
Fundraising Expenses $147
Administrative Expenses $20,591
Other Expenses $0
Expenses in Excess of Income $113,104
Beginning Net Assets $1,098,274
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $985,170
Total Liabilities $6,715
Total Assets $991,885

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the  Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau ® is a registered service mark of International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.