The 2021 Gowrie Group Challenge was once again a tremendous success. Together, through the generous support of over 500 individuals, companies, and partner sponsors, the Gowrie Group raised $276,485 to benefit the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries (SSKP). The challenge ran from Nov. 1, 2021 to Jan. 15, 2022.

Gowrie Group began this annual challenge in 2004 to benefit SSKP, and over the 18-year history of the challenge has raised more than $2.3 million for SSKP, which equates to providing nearly 10 million meals to people in need in the community.

As the COVID-19 pandemic extended through 2021 and into 2022, shoreline families continued to struggle. In 2021, the SSKP served 50% more people than in prior years. The increased need along the shoreline is real.

To meet this significant increase in need for food services, the Gowrie Challenge once again doubled its 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 more than $100,000 in matching funds to double the impact of all other donations.

The challenge also received sizable donations from the Clinton Rotary Club, Essex Community Fund, Bell Power Systems, Liberty Bank Foundation, Lee Company, Essex Garden Club, and Risk Strategies Foundation. These contributions enabled the challenge to raise $75,000 more than the original $200,000 goal.

For more information about Gowrie Group, visit www.gowrie.com or contact info@gowrie.com or 800.262.8911. For more information about Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, which serves Chester, Clinton, Deep River, East Lyme, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Madison, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook, visit shorelinesoupkitchens.org.