More than 425 local businesses and individuals recently came together and donated $137,747 to benefit the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP) through the Gowrie Group Challenge. Not only did the challenge surpass the declared goal of raising $125,000, but more donors than ever before participated in the challenge, as well.

To launch this annual challenge, Gowrie Group announced a $25,000 dollar-for-dollar matching donation to SSKP. LC Doane Company, the Safety Zone, Tower Labs, Andre Prost, and All Waste each stepped up to be partner sponsors and provided an additional $22,500 in matching funds. Two special community events also benefited the Gowrie Challenge this year: a benefit concert at Old Saybrook’s Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center and the Ahavah ballet by the Christian Academy of Dance.