FirstEnergy Foundation Grants Expected to Help Provide 3.6 Million Meals Across Pennsylvania
FirstEnergy Foundation Grants Expected to Help Provide 3.6 Million Meals Across Pennsylvania |
| [03-September-2026] |
GREENSBURG, Pa., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The FirstEnergy Foundation is making its largest investment in hunger relief to date, awarding $1.2 million to 37 Pennsylvania food banks and pantries during Hunger Action Month.
The funding is expected to provide more than 3.6 million meals for families in communities served by FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company (FE PA) – a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) company known locally as Penn Power, Penelec, Met-Ed or West Penn Power. John Hawkins, President, FirstEnergy Pennsylvania: "Food insecurity remains a significant challenge in many of the communities we serve. Too many individuals and families across FirstEnergy Pennsylvania's service territory continue to face challenges putting food on the table. Through the FirstEnergy Foundation, we are proud to support 37 community partners working every day to help our neighbors. Their dedication and support reminds us of the good we can accomplish when communities come together to help those in need and care for one another." To kick off Hunger Action Month, FE PA employees volunteered at the Westmoreland Food Bank, helping prepare and distribute food for local families facing food insecurity. This volunteer event is one of six events FE PA employees will participate in during the month of September. During the volunteer event, FE PA leadership presented a $250,000 donation from the FirstEnergy Foundation to Feeding Pennsylvania and a $50,000 grant to the Westmoreland Food Bank, a member of the Feeding Pennsylvania network. The donations reflect the Foundation's ongoing commitment to hunger relief, one of its key giving priorities, and support organizations working on the front lines of addressing food insecurity across the Commonwealth. Lauren Duff, Chief Public Affairs Officer, Feeding Pennsylvania: "The FirstEnergy Foundation's generous investment comes at a critical time for food banks across Pennsylvania, as more families are turning to our network for help putting food on the table. This support will help provide neighbors facing hunger with the fresh produce, protein and dairy they need to live healthy, full lives, while bolstering the ability of our food banks to meet growing need. We are thankful for FirstEnergy's partnership and their commitment to strengthening the communities we collectively serve." Despite ongoing efforts by food banks and nonprofit organizations, food insecurity remains a significant challenge across the country and in Pennsylvania. Feeding America estimates that more than 1.8 million people (13.5%) in Pennsylvania, experienced food insecurity in 2024, including approximately 508,000 children. Jennifer Miller, Chief Executive Officer, Westmoreland Food Bank: "FirstEnergy continues to support the Westmoreland Food Bank's day-to-day mission and long-term goals. Employee volunteerism assists our community food pantries and monetary support keeps food on our shelves, ultimately putting meals on the plates of our neighbors facing hunger. We are truly partners in this work—we are so grateful." Supporting Hunger-Relief Organizations Across Pennsylvania Foodbanks receiving grants include:
The Pennsylvania grants are part of a $5 million initiative supporting 140 hunger-relief organizations across FirstEnergy's six-state service territory and the District of Columbia, helping stock local shelves and keep meals on tables in households facing food insecurity. Employee Volunteers Help Food Banks Stretch Resources In 2025, employees contributed approximately 28,500 volunteer hours across FirstEnergy's service territory, including thousands of hours supporting hunger-relief organizations. Based on the 2025 national value of a volunteer hour of $36.14, those efforts represent more than $1 million in additional community support. Media Resources About FirstEnergy Foundation About FirstEnergy
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. | ||
Company Codes: NYSE:FE |
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