Capuchin Soup Kitchen
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen is a Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1929 that provides free meals, food, clothing, addiction treatment, and social services to residents experiencing poverty and homelessness, serving approximately 240,000 meals and 228,000 neighbors annually across six east-side locations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersDetroit, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Capuchin Soup Kitchen does
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services ministry operating continuously since November 2, 1929, as part of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph in Detroit, Michigan. It provides free meals, food, clothing, hygiene services, addiction treatment, workforce re-entry programming, and pastoral care to Detroit residents experiencing poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity, with no eligibility requirements for meal services. In 2025 the organization served 240,712 meals (approximately 1,000 per day) across the Meldrum and Conner Community Centers plus a partner site at Deo Gratias Ministries, and distributed 3,058,500 pounds of food through its Shoppers' Choice Food Pantry, which serves roughly 228,000 neighbors annually.
The organization's service portfolio spans six owned locations across Detroit's east side: the original Mt. Elliott headquarters, Meldrum Community Center (serving chronically poor and homeless individuals), Conner Community Center (serving working families and seniors, opened 1998), Capuchin Services Center (food pantry and clothing distribution), Jefferson House (a CARF-accredited 12-bed residential substance use disorder treatment facility for indigent males, established 1976), On the Rise Bakery and Café (workforce re-entry social enterprise with the R.O.P.E. one-year apprentice program, 120+ graduates), and Earthworks Urban Farm (a 1.25-acre certified organic farm). Ancillary services include a shower program, social work case management, spiritual care, free eyeglass clinics via Henry Ford Optimeyes, Wayne Mobile Health Unit screenings, Michigan Secretary of State mobile ID services, and the Street Outreach Court Detroit partnership bringing the 36th District Court to Meldrum for traffic-infraction resolution.
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen receives no government subsidies and depends entirely on individual donations, foundation grants, in-kind contributions, and earned-revenue activities including catering services (Chef Alison), the On the Rise Bakery and Café, the annual SOCK Dinner gala, the Bonanza Barrel Raffle, the Meldrum Fresh Market Farm Stand, and corporate sponsorships. Leadership is provided by Capuchin friars, with Br. Gary Wegner as Executive Director, supported by a team of approximately 10 directors covering operations, social services, residential programs, development, public relations, volunteer services, pastoral care, and corporate relations. The organization maintains Candid (Guidestar) Platinum transparency status and CARF International accreditation for Jefferson House, and in 2026 announced the conclusion of its Rosa Parks Children & Youth Program to redirect resources toward higher-demand core food services.
Capuchin Soup Kitchen firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Capuchin Soup Kitchen
- Legal name
- The Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order, Inc.
- Website
- https://cskdetroit.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Capuchin Soup Kitchen is a Detroit-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1929 that provides free meals, food, clothing, addiction treatment, and social services to residents experiencing poverty and homelessness, serving approximately 240,000 meals and 228,000 neighbors annually across six east-side locations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Capuchin Soup Kitchen industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Human Services and Food Assistance
- NAICS
- Community Food Services (62421), Special Food Services (7223)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)
Keywords
Where Capuchin Soup Kitchen is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Detroit
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Capuchin Soup Kitchen business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Monetary Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations. The organization receives no government subsidies and depends nearly entirely on benefactor generosity.
- Catering Services: Capuchin Soup Kitchen Catering provides full-service catering for corporate events, church dinners, fundraisers, and family events. All profits go back to the soup kitchen's programs.
- Bonanza Barrel Raffle: Annual raffle with cash prizes ($200, $150, $125) funded by ticket sales at $30 each.
- SOCK Dinner Gala: Annual SOCK (Support Our Capuchin Kitchen) Dinner, the organization's major gala fundraiser, began over 50 years ago.
- In-Kind Donations: Donations of clothing, household items, and food from the public, which are distributed directly to those in need, helping stretch the budget.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Capuchin Soup Kitchen product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Capuchin Soup Kitchen provides free meals, a choice-based food pantry, clothing, showers, and case management to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness in Detroit. It also operates longer-term programs including a residential addiction treatment program (Jefferson House), youth services, pastoral care, an urban farm (Earthworks), and social-enterprise food businesses (On the Rise Bakery & Café and Refettorio Detroit catering) that fund and complement the charitable mission.
Product overview
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen is a nonprofit social services organization operating as a unified ministry rather than a technology product platform. Its portfolio consists of multiple interconnected community service programs addressing food insecurity, poverty, addiction recovery, and spiritual care on Detroit's east side. Core programs include two meal sites (Meldrum and Conner Community Centers) serving approximately 1,000 free meals daily; a Shoppers' Choice Food Pantry distributing over 3 million pounds of food annually; clothing distribution; shower facilities; and the Capuchin Services Center assisting 228,000 neighbors yearly. Support programs include Jefferson House (residential addiction treatment), On the Rise Bakery (workforce re-entry through baking), Earthworks Urban Farm (certified organic produce), Social Services case management, and Spiritual Care. Additional offerings include catering services, the Rosa Parks Children & Youth Program (concluding June 2026), and Refettorio Detroit partnership. The organization relies entirely on donations and volunteers, receiving no government subsidies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- On the Rise Bakery and Café: A social entrepreneurship program of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen where bakers who have recently been released from prison or completed substance use disorder treatment programs prepare baked goods for sale.
- Jefferson House
- Earthworks Urban Farm
- Rosa Parks Children & Youth Program
Products and services
- Meal Program
- Shoppers' Choice Food Pantry
- Clothing Distribution
- Shower Program
- Social Services and Case Management
- Spiritual Care / Pastoral Care
- Jefferson House Residential Addiction Treatment
- Earthworks Urban Farm
- On the Rise Bakery and Café
- Refettorio Detroit Catering
- Rosa Parks Children & Youth Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Served 236,787 meals in 2024 (20% increase over prior year) and 240,712 meals in 2025
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Capuchin Soup Kitchen
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Capuchin Soup Kitchen technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Capuchin Soup Kitchen partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Huntington PlaceminorVenue for the 2025 SOCK Dinner gala fundraiser. Located in Detroit.
- Deo Gratias MinistriescoreDeo Gratias Ministries is a program of the Felician Sisters offering a cafe, food pantry, community garden and more. The Capuchin Soup Kitchen provides to-go meals, a social worker, and security services to guests of Deo Gratias Ministries on Detroit's northwest side.
- Street Outreach Court DetroitcoreInnovative partnership bringing 36th District Court to the Meldrum Community Center to help resolve minor traffic infractions with community service in lieu of fines. Partners include Detroit Action, Street Democracy, Wayne County Sheriff, Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, and Neighborhood Legal Services.
- 36th District CourtcoreCourt brought to Meldrum Community Center through Street Outreach Court Detroit partnership to help resolve minor traffic infractions with community service options.
- Detroit ActioncoreCommunity organization partner in Street Outreach Court Detroit, helping resolve traffic infractions for underserved populations.
- Street DemocracycoreOrganization partner in Street Outreach Court Detroit initiative at Meldrum Community Center.
- Neighborhood Legal ServicescoreLegal aid organization partner in Street Outreach Court Detroit, providing legal support for those resolving traffic infractions.
- Henry Ford OptimeyesminorFree eyeglass clinic offered at Conner Community Center for community members in need.
- Wayne Mobile Health UnitminorFree wellness screenings provided at Conner Community Center for community members.
- Wayne State UniversityminorConducted independent evaluation of Rosa Parks Children & Youth Program in 2024, leading to program conclusion recommendation.
- Adrian Dominican SistersminorFounded the Rosa Parks Children & Youth Program in 1999 through Sr. Nancyann Turner, OP. The program concluded June 30, 2026.
- Double Up Food BucksminorSNAP matching program allowing SNAP recipients to stretch their dollar further at the Meldrum Fresh Market Farm Stand.
- Michigan Secretary of StateminorMobile office provides services at Conner Community Center, helping guests obtain state IDs and licenses.
- Secular FranciscanscoreCollaborated with Capuchin friars from the beginning (1929) to collect food from farms, make soup, bake bread and serve meals during the Great Depression. This collaboration has roots in the very founding of the organization.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Capuchin Soup Kitchen competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan: Regional food bank serving the same Metro Detroit footprint. Directly comparable in mission (food distribution to those in need) and operational model (food pantry, distribution, partner network), making it the closest operational peer for evaluating the Capuchin Soup Kitchen's regional impact and footprint.
- Forgotten Harvest: Metro Detroit food rescue organization that collects surplus food for distribution to people facing hunger. Comparable in that both operate charitable food-redistribution and meal-support programs anchored in the same geographic market, with overlapping donor bases.
- Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries: Faith-based Detroit nonprofit providing meals, shelter, and recovery programs to those experiencing homelessness and addiction. Directly comparable across the Capuchin's Meldrum-type homeless meal service and Jefferson House residential recovery programming.
- Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan: Catholic-affiliated social services organization operating across the same southeastern Michigan service area. Comparable in faith-based delivery of food, clothing, case management, and emergency assistance, drawing from overlapping donor pools and beneficiary populations.
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Detroit: Catholic charitable society serving Detroit-area neighbors through food assistance, clothing, and household goods. Directly comparable to the Capuchin Services Center's pantry-and-clothing model with similar faith-driven volunteer structure and donor relationships.
- Meals on Wheels of Southeastern Michigan: Regional nonprofit delivering meal services and senior nutrition support in Metro Detroit. Directly comparable as a free-meal service to vulnerable populations with similar volunteer-driven, donation-funded operating model.
Broad incumbents
- Salvation Army of Metro Detroit: National organization with a substantial Detroit presence operating meal programs, shelter, addiction recovery, and social services across a much larger footprint. Less specialized than the Capuchins but overlapping in every program area and competing for similar corporate and donor support.
- Feeding America West Michigan: Regional Feeding America affiliate covering western and central Michigan with food banking and mobile pantry operations. Broader geographic scope and more wholesale-distribution-focused than the Capuchin model, but comparable as a Michigan-based hunger-relief organization.
Emerging players
- St. Patrick's Senior Center (Detroit): Detroit-based senior nutrition and wellness nonprofit serving the same chronically underserved population as the Capuchin's Conner site. Smaller and more narrowly focused on seniors, but operationally adjacent and competing for similar grant funding.
- Cass Community Social Services: Detroit-based anti-poverty nonprofit running food programs, housing, and social enterprise (e.g., a thrift store and print shop that employ program participants). Highly comparable to the Capuchin model — combining direct services with revenue-generating social enterprises in the same Detroit service area.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Capuchin Soup Kitchen social profiles
Digital presenceCapuchin Soup Kitchen compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Capuchin Soup Kitchen financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Capuchin Soup Kitchen leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Capuchin Soup Kitchen funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Capuchin Soup Kitchen M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Capuchin Soup Kitchen
What does Capuchin Soup Kitchen do?
Capuchin Soup Kitchen provides free meals, a choice-based food pantry, clothing, showers, and case management to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, poverty, and homelessness in Detroit. It also operates longer-term programs including a residential addiction treatment program (Jefferson House), youth services, pastoral care, an urban farm (Earthworks), and social-enterprise food businesses (On the Rise Bakery & Café and Refettorio Detroit catering) that fund and complement the charitable mission.
Is Capuchin Soup Kitchen a public or private company?
Capuchin Soup Kitchen is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Capuchin Soup Kitchen founded?
Capuchin Soup Kitchen was founded in 1929. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Capuchin Soup Kitchen based?
Capuchin Soup Kitchen is headquartered in Detroit, United States, in the North America region.
How does Capuchin Soup Kitchen make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Monetary Donations are the primary driver. The others are catering Services, bonanza Barrel Raffle, SOCK Dinner Gala and in-Kind Donations.
Who are Capuchin Soup Kitchen's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Forgotten Harvest, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Detroit and Meals on Wheels of Southeastern Michigan. Broad incumbents are Salvation Army of Metro Detroit and Feeding America West Michigan. Emerging players are St. Patrick's Senior Center (Detroit) and Cass Community Social Services.
Does Capuchin Soup Kitchen have an API?
No public API is recorded for Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
What industry is Capuchin Soup Kitchen in?
Capuchin Soup Kitchen's product category is Human Services and Food Assistance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAA, Food Assistance & Food Banks. Its NAICS code is 62421.