Bountiful Basket Food Shelf of Eastern Carver County

What it reported doing in 2024

Food assistance: bountiful basket operates two brick-and-mortar food shelf locationsone in chaska and one in cologne. Bountiful basket was founded to serve the eastern carver county communities of chanhassen, chaska, carver, and victoria. Two years ago, we expanded our reach by opening a second location in cologne to better serve residents in the more rural areas of western carver county. While these communities represent our traditional service area and the majority of the individuals and families we serve, our doors are open to anyone in need of food assistance, regardless of where they live.the chaska food shelf is open five days a week, in addition to the first and third saturdays of each month, and the cologne food shelf is open three days a week. This year saw a continued increase in demand for services. We distributed more than 1,500,000 pounds of food and served approximately 68,000 individuals (duplicated), representing an 18% increase compared to 2023-2024. Approximately 33% of those served were children, and 8% were senior citizens.our food shelf operates using a choice model and is supershelf certified, placing a strong focus on nutrition while offering a welcoming and dignified experience. Individuals make appointments and choose from a wide variety of foods that meet their dietary, culinary, and cultural needs. Food that is consistently available includes fresh and shelf-stable produce, dairy, proteins, and grains. On average, families receive approximately 2025 pounds of food per individual. Shoppers may visit up to two times per month, and emergency food bags are available if additional food is needed between visits.the supershelf program is grounded in the values of good food, respect for all, and evidence-based practices. We received our supershelf certification three years ago and continue to follow its six-step methodology, which is based on behavioral economics principles. As part of this work, we have reorganized our space and reception area, painted the grocery area in bright and welcoming colors, purchased new freezers, refreshed shelving, and created an attractive fruit and vegetable display. These improvements have helped make our services more client-centered while providing a dignified, grocery store like environment.in addition to our brick-and-mortar food shelves, bountiful basket operates a food pantry at the west creek apartments, which house 19 formerly homeless youth. We also deliver food to senior apartment buildings, support unhoused individuals currently living in local motels, and provide school snacks to all schools in eastern carver county, along with a range of other outreach and food access programs designed to meet evolving community needs.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 88.5%; rating input score 89
• Program expense ratio: 95.7%; rating input score 96
• Fundraising efficiency: $54.67 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 79; 79th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 7.7%; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.51; rating input score 18; 18th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.17; rating input score 48; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 2.8%; rating input score 70; 70th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 40.7% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 36.2% per year; rating input score 100; 96th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 18% per year; rating input score 100; 80th percentile among comparable filings