What Cathedral Soup Kitchen does

Cathedral Kitchen (legal name: The Cathedral Soup Kitchen, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in April 1976 and headquartered at 1514 Federal Street, Camden, New Jersey. Its mission is to help Camden residents move out of food insecurity and toward stability and prosperity. The organization operates four interconnected program areas: a daily Meal and Outreach Program serving up to 700 guests in a restaurant-style dining room and delivering more than 36,000 meals and 33,700 grocery bags annually; Social Services offering empowerment coaching, benefits enrollment, and personal-care item distribution; an American Culinary Federation–accredited 15-week Culinary Arts Training Program that has graduated 547 students with an over 90% placement rate; and two social-enterprise arms—Contract Meals (producing nearly 2,000 meals per day, 7 days a week, for Volunteers of America shelters, plus Camden County senior centers, YMCA, Kommunity Kares, and LUCY Outreach) and CK Catering from the Heart (corporate and personal event catering). Operations are supported by 47 staff and 2,759 volunteers contributing 17,323 hours in 2024, plus an in-kind supply chain that channeled 892,369 lbs of donated food ($1.74M valuation) last year.

The business model is fundamentally donation-driven, with revenues from individual and corporate contributions, foundations, United Way workplace campaigns (donor option codes 1558, 18099, 7030), in-kind food, vehicle donations, and stock gifts, complemented by social-enterprise cash flow from Contract Meals and CK Catering, both of which also create jobs and training opportunities for Camden residents. All charitable services (meals, groceries, social services, hygiene items, and job training) are delivered free of charge, while B2B catering and contract meals operate as market-rate revenue streams. Distribution is entirely single-geography, single-site (Camden, NJ / South Jersey), with a strong recognition posture evidenced by 4-star Charity Navigator rating (98/100 accountability and transparency), Platinum GuideStar status, Best Mission-Driven Catering (Best of SJ Magazine, 2023 and 2025), and 2025 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award ($125,000).

The technology stack is deliberately minimal: the company self-describes as having no proprietary technology systems, relying instead on VolunteerHub for volunteer scheduling, Network for Good for online donations, and standard office and email tooling. Recent hires in social services data management suggest early-stage investment in program evaluation and reporting systems, but there is no evidence of AI/ML, API exposure, or proprietary platforms.

Name

Cathedral Soup Kitchen

Legal name

The Cathedral Soup Kitchen, Inc.

Website

https://cathedralkitchen.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cathedral Kitchen is a Camden, NJ-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 that provides free daily meals, groceries, social services, and an accredited culinary job-training program to food-insecure Camden residents, supplemented by contract-meal production and mission-driven catering for local organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hunger Relief Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Food Service Contractors (72231)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Institutional Catering (Schools, Hospitals, Government) (THAFAIAE)

Keywords

• Emergency food services
• Hunger relief programs
• Culinary job training
• Community meal programs
• Social services nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Camden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: Financial contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting the charitable mission. Includes online donations, mail-in donations, stock donations, planned giving, and in-kind donations of food and supplies.
2. Social Enterprise - Catering and Contract Meals: CK Catering from the Heart provides catering for corporate and personal events. Contract Meals program prepares meals for local organizations including Volunteers of America shelters, YMCA, Kommunity Kares, LUCY Outreach, and Camden County senior centers. Revenue supports operational costs and creates jobs for Camden residents.
3. Workplace Giving Programs: United Way workplace campaigns including UW Greater PA & Southern NJ (donor option #1558), UW Combined Federal Campaign (donor option #18099), and UW Public Employee Campaign (donor option #7030). Matching gift programs through employers.
4. Vehicle Donations: Donate car, truck, motorcycle, RV, or boat - vehicle is sold and proceeds support operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cathedral Kitchen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise in Camden, NJ that provides free nutritious meals, groceries, hygiene items, and empowerment social services to food-insecure residents, while operating an American Culinary Federation-accredited Culinary Arts Training Program and mission-driven catering (CK Catering from the Heart) and Contract Meals businesses that create jobs and training opportunities for Camden residents.

Product overview

Cathedral Kitchen operates as a multi-service nonprofit social enterprise offering a portfolio of interconnected programs. The core offerings include: the Meal and Outreach Program serving daily hot meals to up to 700 guests plus delivered meals to vulnerable populations (350,000+ annually); Social Services providing empowerment coaching, benefits enrollment, and personal care item distribution; and an accredited Culinary Arts Training Program providing 15-week job training with over 85% employment outcomes. Supporting these are two social enterprise arms: Contract Meals producing meals for partner organizations (shelters, schools, youth programs) and CK Catering from the Heart offering event catering services. Additional offerings include a Free Groceries/Mini Market Stand. All services are free of charge to Camden residents experiencing food insecurity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CK Catering from the Heart: Mission-driven catering service providing breakfast, lunch, or dinner for corporate and personal events, with proceeds supporting CK's services.
• CK Catering
• CK Pavilion
• Contract Meals
• CK Catering from the Heart

Products and services

• Meal and Outreach Program
• Social Services
• Culinary Arts Training Program Free 15-week accredited culinary job training program offered three times annually to Camden residents, with ServSafe certification and employment placement support, achieving 90%+ employment outcomes within three months of graduation.
• Contract Meals Commercial kitchen producing bulk meals for partner organizations including Volunteers of America shelters, YMCA, Kommunity Kares, LUCY Outreach, and Camden County senior centers, generating revenue and creating training opportunities.
• CK Catering from the Heart Catering service for corporate and personal events providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus prepared from scratch by CK chefs, with proceeds supporting jobs and culinary training opportunities.
• Free Groceries / Mini Market Stand

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of Culinary Arts Training graduates employed within three months
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carversville Farm FoundationcoreOthersProvides thousands of pounds of fresh, organic produce and meat annually to support meal service. Hosts culinary arts students and staff for summer farm visits to learn about sustainable farming.
• Trader Joe'scoreOthersFood donor providing surplus food products to support meal programs.
• WegmanscoreOthersFood donor providing surplus food products. Also hires Culinary Arts Training graduates.
• BJ's Wholesale ClubcoreOthersFood donor providing bulk food products for meal service.
• TastykakeminorOthersFood donor providing baked goods.
• ShopRitecoreOthersFood donor providing surplus food products from grocery operations.
• Food Bank of South JerseycoreOthersFood bank partner providing food resources and support for meal programs.
• PhilabundancecoreOthersFood bank partner providing surplus food distribution.
• US FoodscoreOthersFood distributor and donor providing food products for meal service.
• Chick-fil-AcoreOthersNominated CK for Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards resulting in $125,000 grant. Provides ongoing food donations.
• Farmers Against HungercoreOthersVolunteers harvest produce from farms and deliver to CK. Great group volunteer activity.
• Whole Foods MarketminorOthersFood donor providing surplus food products.
• AmazonminorOthersAmazon Wish List partner providing hygiene items and supplies. Donors purchase items that ship directly to CK.
• Severino Pasta CompanyminorOthersFood donor providing pasta products for meal service.
• Campbell'scoreOthersCorporate partner providing food donations. Legal team from Campbell's volunteers at monthly legal clinics.
• Grow A RowminorOthersAgricultural partner providing fresh produce to support meal programs.
• Subaru of AmericacoreOthersVolunteers in dining room, provides donations, helps culinary students, sponsors Harvest for Hunger event. Share the Love Garden produces fresh produce for CK.
• Camden County Office of Sustainability and Shared ServicesminorOthersCounty partner supporting sustainable programs and food access initiatives.
• HolmanminorOthersCorporate partner providing support for CK programs.
• Virtua HealthcoreOthersHealthcare partner that hires Culinary Arts Training graduates. Assistant Vice President of Community Health Engagement serves on CK Board of Directors.
• Novick CorporationminorOthersCorporate partner supporting CK programs.
• The Food Donation ConnectionminorOthersConnects restaurants and foodservice operations with food donation opportunities.
• Share My MealsminorOthersFood rescue organization that redirects surplus food to CK.
• Panera BreadminorOthersFood donor providing surplus bakery items for meal programs.
• Volunteers of America (VOA)coreOthersCK prepares close to 2,000 meals 7 days/week and delivers to 10 VOA shelters and halfway houses across Camden County. VOA also provides veteran housing that benefited CK guest David.
• YMCA of Camden CountycoreOthersCK + YMCA Camden Kids Cook! Initiative - CK prepares packaged dinner meals every Friday for YMCA campers to take home with their families.
• Kommunity KarescoreOthersCK prepares and delivers 540 meals monthly to Kommunity Kares transitional housing for justice-impacted individuals re-entering society after incarceration.
• LUCY OutreachcoreOthersCK provides 1,300 meals per month to LUCY's afterschool and summer programming for youth.
• Camden County CommissionerscoreOthersAwarded CK a new contract to prepare and deliver meals to four Camden County senior centers - approximately 100 nutritious, freshly made meals each weekday.
• Flow Forward NJminorOthersMenstrual equity nonprofit that visits CK monthly to distribute free menstrual products to guests. Founded in 2022 by Rowan University students.
• Rowan University Schreiber School of Veterinary MedicineminorOthersHosted free pet clinic at CK serving 55 pets with over 100 vaccines. No veterinary clinics exist in Camden, making this valuable for pet owners without transportation.
• First Step StaffingminorOthersStaffing firm specializing in helping individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, prior incarceration, and veterans find employment. Hosted hiring event at CK where 24 of 25 job seekers were offered positions.
• VolunteerUPminorOthersVolunteer organization that partners with CK to provide monthly legal clinics with support from Campbell's legal team.
• South Jersey Legal ServicesminorOthersProvides free on-site legal services during CK meal program monthly, helping guests with eviction, landlord/tenant disputes, domestic violence safety, and removing legal barriers to benefits.
• Rotary Book SocietyminorOthersDonated The Flavor Bible to CK culinary student Cindy upon graduation.
• NJ Community Kitchens CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of eight community kitchens across New Jersey including Elijah's Promise, Eva's Village, Lunch Break, nourish.NJ, Toni's Kitchen, Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK), and Vineland Soup Kitchen. Supported by NJ Food Security Access Fund to formalize collaboration, secure funding, share resources, and influence state policy.
• Feeding AmericaminorOthersNational hunger relief organization whose research on food insecurity and SNAP benefits informs CK's advocacy and programming.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• nourish.NJ: Newark, NJ community kitchen and coalition member providing meals and supportive services. Comparable in operating free meal programs for an urban food-insecure population within the same NJ community-kitchen coalition.
• Toni's Kitchen: Montclair, NJ-based community kitchen and coalition member providing prepared meals and groceries to food-insecure residents. Comparable in mission scope (free meals + grocery distribution) and NJ geographic footprint.
• Eva's Village: Paterson, NJ multi-service nonprofit and coalition member offering meals, social services, addiction recovery, and workforce training. Highly comparable operating model with a similar social-enterprise food service arm.
• Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK): Trenton, NJ emergency meal provider and NJ Community Kitchens Coalition member. Mirrors Cathedral Kitchen's model of free daily hot meals, social services, and volunteer-driven operations serving an urban food-insecure population.
• Lunch Break: Red Bank, NJ nonprofit and coalition member providing free meals, groceries, and social services to Monmouth County residents in need. Comparable in service mix (meals, groceries, case management) and volunteer-driven operations.
• Vineland Soup Kitchen: Vineland, NJ community kitchen and coalition member providing daily meals and outreach to Cumberland County residents. Comparable as a regional NJ emergency meal provider with similar volunteer and donation model.
• Elijah's Promise: New Brunswick, NJ-based community kitchen and culinary training program, and fellow NJ Community Kitchens Coalition member. Directly comparable as a social-enterprise nonprofit combining free meal service, culinary job training, and catering/contract meals.

Broad incumbents

• DC Central Kitchen: Washington, DC-based national-model nonprofit operating free meal distribution, culinary job training, and contract meals. Broader scale and national footprint, but the same integrated meal-service + culinary-training + social-enterprise operating model that Cathedral Kitchen follows.
• Food Bank of South Jersey: Pennsauken, NJ regional food bank that distributes millions of pounds of food annually to partner agencies including Cathedral Kitchen. Broader regional wholesaler of donated food rather than direct meal service, but adjacent/partner organization in the same food-security ecosystem.
• God's Love We Deliver: NYC-based nonprofit providing medically tailored home-delivered meals and nutrition services. Larger, more specialized meal-delivery model serving chronically ill clients; comparable in nonprofit contract-meals operating model and donor-supported meal production.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9twaxXI4xJMEvxCN5UhLyQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/cathedralkitchen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cathedral-kitchen
• Instagraminstagram.com/cathedralkitchen/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cathedral Soup Kitchen