DWELLING HOUSE OF HOPE INC

What DWELLING HOUSE OF HOPE INC does

Dwelling House of Hope Inc is a Massachusetts-registered 501(c)-style nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Lowell, MA that operates direct-service food security and community support programs for low-income populations in the Merrimack Valley. Founded in 2014 by Levenia Furusa, a Zimbabwe-born immigrant who began by offering food from her basement, the organization has grown into a multi-site operation with physical pantries in Lowell (125 Mount Hope St.) and Lawrence (33 Water St.), serving 8,000+ individuals per month across 15+ Massachusetts towns and distributing 2.4M+ pounds of food in the trailing year.

The organization runs a core set of programs including recurring food pantry distributions (Thursday and Saturday mornings in Lowell; Friday mornings in Lawrence), home delivery for homebound individuals, Lunch in the Parks for displaced populations, a Cummings Foundation-sponsored Youth Program focused on character building and community outreach, a First Step Program providing infant and toddler supplies, hygiene distribution, cooking classes, and CPR/First Aid certification training through certified American Red Cross and American Heart Association instructors. It also executes a calendar of annual events including the Multicultural Festival, Walk for Hunger, Backpack Giveaway, Thanksgiving Distribution, and Christmas Party for Neighbors in Need.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations and grants with no pricing model or fees charged to beneficiaries. Funding sources include individual donations (PayPal, Cash App), foundation grants (notably Cummings Foundation for the Youth Program), in-kind food contributions from corporate donors (Walmart, Hannaford, Trader Joe's, Costco, Stop and Shop, Target, Walden Local, Shaw's, Greater Boston Food Bank), financial institution sponsorships (DCU, Enterprise Bank, Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union, Lowell Five), event fundraising, and government-adjacent partners such as United Way of Merrimack Valley. The organization operates with only 5 paid employees and is governed by a 5-member board, relying heavily on volunteer labor, student volunteers from UMass Lowell, and partner agency referrals for service delivery.

Name

DWELLING HOUSE OF HOPE INC

Legal name

Dwelling House Of Hope Inc

Website

https://dwellinghouseofhope.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dwelling House of Hope Inc is a Lowell, Massachusetts-based nonprofit that operates food pantries in Lowell and Lawrence, distributing 2.4M+ pounds of food annually to 8,000+ food-insecure individuals per month across 15+ Massachusetts towns, supplemented by youth, hygiene, and community outreach programs funded through donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lowell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute monetary donations through website (PayPal, Cash App), with specific campaigns for Christmas toy drives and other seasonal giving.
2. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations like Cummings Foundation that sponsor specific programs such as the Youth Program. Corporate donors provide both monetary and in-kind contributions.
3. Corporate Food Donations: Area supermarkets donate food products including Walmart, Hannaford, Stop and Shop, Trader Joe's, Walden Local, and Greater Boston Food Bank.
4. Event Fundraising: Annual events including Walk for Hunger, Multicultural Festival, Mighty Movers Women's Awards, and Christmas Party generate fundraising revenue through sponsorships and ticket sales.
5. In-Kind Donations: Accepts food donations (canned goods, proteins, grains), baby/toddler supplies, toys, books, household goods, and toiletries from individuals and organizations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dwelling House of Hope operates free food pantry distribution from two physical locations in Lowell and Lawrence, Massachusetts, providing weekly grocery boxes, holiday meal programs (Thanksgiving and Christmas), and home delivery to homebound clients. Beyond food, the organization runs a youth development program sponsored by the Cummings Foundation, community outreach initiatives (overdose awareness, parks-based lunch programs), CPR/First Aid certification, cooking classes, and an annual calendar of community events including the Multicultural Festival, Walk for Hunger, and Backpack Giveaway.

Product overview

Dwelling House of Hope is a non-profit organization operating multiple food security and community support services. The core offerings include food pantry operations (serving Lowell and Lawrence, MA locations), a Cummings Foundation-sponsored Youth Program, community outreach initiatives (including overdose awareness, lunch programs, and pastoral appreciation), cooking classes, CPR/First Aid training, and an annual calendar of events including Multicultural Festival, Backpack Giveaway, Walk for Hunger, Hygiene Day, First Step Program, Christmas Party, and Thanksgiving Distribution. The organization operates as a single unified charitable entity with multiple service programs rather than a platform-based product architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lowell Food Pantry Weekly grocery distribution program at 125 Mount Hope St., Lowell, MA. Provides pre-packed food boxes at no cost to Lowell residents (Thursday mornings 7AM-9AM) and the broader community (Saturday 8AM-10:30AM). Pre-registration recommended for best experience.
• Lawrence Food Pantry Secondary pantry location at 33 Water St., Lawrence, MA. Provides grocery distribution to Lawrence residents on Friday mornings at 10 AM. Serves the Lawrence community as a satellite of the Lowell headquarters.
• Home Delivery Program Food delivery service for homebound and disabled individuals unable to visit pantries in person. Operated in partnership with Vinfen, Lowell Alliance, Lowell Community Health Center, and New American Center. Originated during COVID-19 response and continues as ongoing support.
• Youth Program Character-building and community-based activities for youth, including feeding the homeless initiatives, community outreach, and preparation of hygiene bags and food boxes. Sponsored by the Cummings Foundation.
• Walk for Hunger Annual fundraising walk supporting the organization's food programs, followed by a community cookout and refreshments. Scheduled for May 9, 2026.
• Multicultural Festival Annual multicultural festival celebrating diversity with vendor tables, performances, and community engagement. Scheduled for September 12, 2026 at JFK Plaza, 11 AM to 8 PM. Open to sponsorships, vendors, and performers.
• Backpack Giveaway Back-to-school event providing free backpacks to children preparing them for the school year. Scheduled for August 29 (annually).
• Thanksgiving Distribution Annual Thanksgiving food distribution including food boxes, turkeys, gift cards, and Thanksgiving essentials distributed to Greater Lowell area residents. In 2024, the program distributed 3,000+ food boxes, 1,000+ turkeys, and 1,500 Thanksgiving essentials bags.
• Christmas Party for Neighbors in Need Annual holiday celebration bringing together neighbors and individuals in need with meals, festive music, toys, and community connection. Hosted at Elliot Church in partnership with the Homeless Reform Project.
• Hygiene Day Monthly distribution of hygiene essentials to community members during pantry hours. Operates in partnership with Hope & Comfort.
• First Step Program Monthly program providing diapers, wipes, formula, and essentials to babies and toddlers, combined with grocery pickup and parent networking opportunities.
• CPR & First Aid Training Certification training including First Aid/CPR/AED (Adult and Pediatric), Bloodborne Pathogens, and OSHA training delivered through certified American Red Cross and American Heart Association trainers on staff.
• Cooking Classes Educational cooking classes providing healthy meal preparation education on limited budgets for individuals and families facing food insecurity.
• Mighty Movers Women's Awards Annual awards ceremony celebrating women in the community who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment, held in recognition of International Women's Day.
• Community Outreach Programs Outreach initiatives including Youth Overdose Awareness marches, Lunch in the Parks (weekly Saturday bag distribution at Lowell parks for homeless individuals), fundraising dinners, pastoral appreciation events, and substance awareness/prevention programming.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8000+ individuals served per month
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Greater Boston Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor food bank partnership providing significant food supply to Dwelling House of Hope for distribution. Collaborated on Thanksgiving 2024 distribution of 3000+ food boxes and 1000+ turkeys.
• WalmartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate food donor providing surplus food products for distribution to food-insecure families.
• HannafordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupermarket chain donating food products to support community food distribution programs.
• Trader Joe'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrocery retailer contributing food donations to support local food insecure populations.
• Costco WholesalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWholesale retailer supporting food donation programs for community distribution.
• Stop and ShopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupermarket chain providing food donations for community assistance programs.
• Walden LocalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal food supplier contributing to food donation efforts.
• United Way of Merrimack ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor nonprofit partner for Thanksgiving distribution. Provided $20 gift cards for Thanksgiving 2024 and $50 Market Basket gift cards in 2020. Collaborated on multiple food distribution events.
• Lowell Community Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner with Community Outreach Coordinator and Community Health Worker present at pantry. Collaborated on COVID-19 vaccination drives and ongoing health outreach.
• VinfenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResidential services agency delivering food to homebound clients during COVID-19 response.
• Greater Lowell Health AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth equity coalition partner. Participated in Thanksgiving 2022 outreach efforts and community health initiatives.
• Lowell AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner for COVID-19 food delivery to homebound residents.
• New American CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefugee and immigrant services organization helping deliver food to new American families during COVID-19.
• Homeless Reform ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Annual Christmas Party for Neighbors in Need. Event hosted at Elliot Church.
• Hope & ComfortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHygiene hub providing supplies for Family Hygiene Days and ongoing hygiene distribution.
• Toys for TotsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerToy donation program for Christmas toy giveaways.
• The Wish ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit partner for back-to-school backpack program and donations.
• Fusion ChurchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChurch partner for COVID-19 vaccination events and community outreach.
• Lowell Health DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment health partner for COVID-19 safety education and vaccination drives.
• Health Resources in ActionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic health organization partner for COVID-19 vaccination initiatives.
• Elevate New EnglandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent volunteer organization providing weekly help sorting food and stocking shelves.
• TargetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail partner providing food donations.
• UMass Lowell (Delta Kappa Phi)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity fraternity volunteering for Thanksgiving food distribution events.
• Men and Women of Vision Empowering Nations (MOVEN/WOVEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity outreach program of DHoH founded by Levenia Furusa, organizing fundraising dinners and supporting homeless individuals through the parks program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• The Wish Project: Lowell-area nonprofit providing clothing, household goods, and seasonal programs (including back-to-school backpacks). Direct partner of DHoH and comparable in mission and regional footprint.
• Community Teamwork Inc. Lowell-based anti-poverty nonprofit running food assistance, housing, and family support programs. Direct peer given shared geography, similar client base, and overlap in wraparound services beyond food.
• Project Bread: Massachusetts statewide anti-hunger organization running food assistance programs, advocacy, and the Walk for Hunger event — directly comparable mission and geography to DHoH, including participation in the same Walk for Hunger.
• Merrimack Valley Food Bank: Regional food bank serving the same Lowell/Lawrence Merrimack Valley geography as DHoH, distributing food through partner pantries and direct programs. Direct peer given overlapping service area and food distribution model.
• Greater Boston Food Bank: Regional food bank that is DHoH's largest supplier of in-kind food and a direct collaborator on Thanksgiving distribution. Operates a more scaled distribution network across Eastern Massachusetts, making it a structural peer in the hunger-relief value chain.
• The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell: Greater Lowell-based community food pantry offering direct food distribution to food-insecure households. Closest comparable in both geography (Lowell) and operational model (food pantry serving low-income clients).

Broad incumbents

• Feeding America: National hunger-relief umbrella organization that channels food and funding to regional food banks including Greater Boston Food Bank. Indirect structural peer shaping the supply ecosystem DHoH depends on.
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston: Large established social services organization operating food pantries, family services, and refugee support across Massachusetts. Comparable in food distribution and immigrant services but operates at much broader scale.
• United Way of Merrimack Valley: Regional United Way affiliate funding and operating community programs including food, housing, and financial stability. Direct funding partner of DHoH and overlapping service footprint in the Merrimack Valley.

Regional players

• Food Bank of Western Massachusetts: Regional food bank serving Western Massachusetts with a comparable distribution model through partner pantries. Operates in a different region but is a structural analog for how a regional food bank supports community pantries like DHoH.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dwelling-house-of-hope-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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