Over $275,000 raised to help the hungry

The 2021 Gowrie Group Challenge, through the generous support of over 500 individuals, companies, and Partner Sponsors, raised $276,485 to benefit the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP) and serve our neighbors in need! The Challenge ran from November 1, 2021 to January 15, 2022.

As the nation’s leading marine insurance agency, Gowrie Group began this annual Challenge in 2004 to benefit the SSKP, and over the 18-year history of the Challenge has raised over 2.3 million dollars for the SSKP, which equates to nearly 10 million meals for people in need in the community.

As the COVID-19 pandemic extended through 2021 and into 2022, Connecticut shoreline families continue to struggle. In 2021, the SSKP served 50% more people than in prior years, and to meet this heightened need for food services, the Gowrie Challenge once again doubled their support with a matching gift of $60,000, of which $30,000 was a personal pledge from Carter Gowrie.

Six local companies stepped forward as Partner Sponsors: LC Doane, Tower Labs, Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, Sound Rigging, BrandTech Scientific, and Essex Financial. The Partner Sponsors all increased their donations over past years. Together, Gowrie and the Partner Sponsors donated over $100,000 in matching funds to double the impact of all other donations, dollar-for-dollar, to help these neighbors.

In such an unprecedented time, the Challenge was fortunate to also receive sizable donations from the following entities: Clinton Rotary Club, Essex Community Fund, Bell Power Systems, Liberty Bank Foundation, Lee Company, Essex Garden Club, and Risk Strategies Foundation. These contributions, along with the increased support from all Partner Sponsors, enabled the Challenge to raise $75,000 more than the original $200,000 goal.

“The pandemic is not over, so our increased and continued support of the SSKP is needed now more than ever,” said Carter Gowrie, Founder of Gowrie Group. “I am proud that together, we are able to help those in need along our shoreline in such a significant way.”