FirstEnergy Foundation Pledges $1.2 Million to Combat Pennsylvania Hunger

The funding represents the foundation’s largest single investment in hunger relief to date. It targets organizations serving the company’s Pennsylvania customer base—including Penn Power, Penelec, Met-Ed, and West Penn Power. Beyond the capital injection, the utility is mobilizing its workforce; employees are committed to six volunteer events throughout the month, starting with a distribution effort at the Westmoreland Food Bank.

John Hawkins, President of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania, noted that the grants act as a bridge for community partners facing rising demand. The relief comes at a precarious moment, as data from Feeding America indicates that approximately 508,000 children in the state experienced food insecurity in the previous year. For organizations like the Westmoreland Food Bank, the support provides both the liquidity to stock shelves and the labor to manage daily operations.

This Pennsylvania-specific effort is a segment of a broader $5 million commitment spanning FirstEnergy’s six-state service territory. The foundation has prioritized fresh produce, protein, and dairy supplies to ensure the longevity of the assistance. In addition to the financial grants, the company continues to leverage its Volunteer Time Off program, which saw employees contribute 28,500 hours across its service areas in 2025.