As an existing 501(c)3 operating as a medical clinic in Florida, can we open a soup kitchen as a dba under the same status?
Unless the Florida secretary of state has already approved of including "soup kitchen" among the variety of services that the center will offer at no charge, you must create a separate entity.
You cannot use a DBA for the soup kitchen activities under these circumstances. However, every state’s formation laws can differ. Make sure to consult with an attorney who specializes in not-for-profit organizations before you take your next step.