FirstEnergy Foundation Pledges $1.2 Million to Combat Ohio Hunger

The grants are part of a broader $5 million regional strategy supporting 140 organizations across six states and the District of Columbia. By expanding its reach to 29 Ohio entities—including 16 first-time recipients—the Foundation seeks to bolster regional networks struggling to meet rising demand. According to Feeding America, approximately 1.8 million Ohioans, including 535,000 children, dealt with food insecurity in 2024.

Torrence L. Hinton, president of FirstEnergy Ohio, noted that the investment serves to strengthen front-line organizations that cannot shoulder the burden of rising food costs alone. Beyond direct financial support, FirstEnergy continues to leverage its Volunteer Time Off program, which saw employees contribute thousands of hours to hunger relief efforts in 2025. These collective contributions, alongside the new grant cycle, aim to stabilize access to nutritious meals for seniors, children, and families navigating ongoing economic pressures.