The funding targets communities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. According to Wade Smith, president of FirstEnergy Utilities, local food banks serve as the primary point of contact for families facing food insecurity, and these grants are designed to bolster their capacity to meet rising demand. Data from Feeding America indicates that roughly 7.2 million people, including 2 million children, lived in food-insecure households within these service areas as of 2024.
FirstEnergy Foundation Pledges $5 Million to Combat Regional Hunger
The FirstEnergy Foundation has launched its largest hunger relief initiative to date, committing $5 million in grants to 140 food banks and pantries. The investment, timed to coincide with Hunger Action Month, aims to provide 15 million meals across a six-state service territory, doubling the organization's previous annual support.
Beyond the financial infusion, the initiative includes a volunteer component through the company’s Volunteer Time Off program. Employees are encouraged to dedicate hours to local pantries, building on a 2025 record where staff contributed approximately 28,500 volunteer hours to community causes. Lauren Brant of The Salvation Army of Western Pennsylvania noted that such partnerships provide critical stability for neighbors navigating medical or economic crises, serving as a year-round lifeline rather than a seasonal intervention. FirstEnergy Foundation president Amanda Mertens Campbell emphasized that the grants reflect a commitment to addressing the most fundamental needs of the utility's customer base.
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