FirstEnergy Foundation's Largest Hunger Relief Grant to Date Will Deliver 2 Million Meals in New Jersey
Photo Credit: FirstEnergy
HOLMDEL —The FirstEnergy Foundation is providing $600,000 in grants to 21 food banks and pantries across New Jersey, part of a $2.5 million initiative benefiting hunger relief organizations in six states. The effort, launched during Hunger Action Month, represents the foundation’s largest hunger-relief investment to date.
The grants will fund roughly two million meals for families in communities served by Jersey Central Power & Light, a FirstEnergy utility.
"The FirstEnergy Foundation is serving up can-do energy – collaborating with vital local organizations to reduce hunger and increase the availability of healthy, nutritious meals during Hunger Action Month. Food means more than just nourishment – it's a source of comfort that brings people together and strengthens bonds with a community. Our JCP&L employees are helping fight hunger year-round by volunteering and hosting food drives, reinforcing the importance of that connection," said Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s president of New Jersey.
According to Feeding America and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 1 million people in New Jersey — 11.7% of the population — face food insecurity due to rising prices, supply chain strains and climate-related disruptions.
Organizations receiving funding include the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Fulfill, Interfaith Food Pantry Network, Lunch Break, Mercy Center, NORWESCAP and others across Monmouth, Morris, Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Ocean, Sussex and Warren counties.
In addition to grant funding, FirstEnergy demonstrates its commitment to community support by empowering employees with dedicated volunteer time-off (VTO) hours. In 2024, employees logged more than 26,000 hours supporting food banks and other community organizations.
The FirstEnergy Foundation has supported hunger relief for more than two decades, raising nearly $7 million through its annual Harvest for Hunger campaign. Last year alone, the foundation donated nearly $800,000 to hunger-related initiatives.
FirstEnergy serves 6 million customers across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, including 1.2 million through JCP&L in New Jersey.