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For The Dominion Post
FAIRMONT - The FirstEnergy Foundation is making its largest investment in hunger relief to date, awarding $1.1 million to 43 West Virginia and Maryland food banks and pantries during Hunger Action Month.
The grants are part of a $5 million initiative supporting 140 hunger relief organizations across six states and Washington, D.C.
The funding is expected to provide approximately 3.3 million meals for families and neighbors across West Virginia and Maryland, helping food banks and pantries meet growing demand in communities served by Mon Power and Potomac Edison.
National Hunger Action Month, observed each September, raises awareness of food insecurity and encourages volunteerism, advocacy and charitable giving to help address hunger in local communities.
Despite ongoing efforts by food banks and nonprofit organizations, food insecurity remains a significant challenge across the country and in West Virginia and Maryland. According to Feeding America, more than 1.2 million people in West Virginia and Maryland, including more than 354,000 children, face food insecurity as families continue to navigate high food costs and other economic pressures.
Food banks and pantries continue to play a critical role in helping families access nutritious meals as they navigate ongoing economic pressures.
Chris Beam, FirstEnergy's President of West Virginia and Maryland commented, "No one should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from. Across West Virginia and Maryland, food banks and pantries are working every day to meet growing needs, but they can’t do it alone. This investment will help provide 3.3 million meals for families, seniors and children while strengthening the organizations on the front lines of hunger relief. We’re proud to support their work and to stand beside them through volunteer service in the communities we call home."
Here are the West Virginia programs that will receive support:
Blackwater Ministerial Association
Bless this Food
Blue Ridge Community & Technical College Foundation
Braxton County Senior Center
Calhoun County Committee on Aging
Catholic Charities of West Virginia
Cherry River Foundation
Clarksburg Missions
Community Bread Basket Community Markets
Faith in Action
Food for Preston
Gilmer County Family Resource Network
Glenville State College Foundation
Haven of Hope
Lewis County Family Resource Network
Lewisburg/Fairlea Food Pantry
Mannington Food Pantry
Marion County Senior Citizens Center
Moorefield Food Pantry
Mountaineer Food Bank
Old Man Rivers
Pantry Plus More
Pendleton Senior and Family Services
Pocahontas County Senior Citizens
Reachout Emergency Aid and Christian Help (REACH)
Randolph County Community Food Pantry
Ritchie County Family Resources Network
Ronceverte Food Pantry – RMA Ronceverte Ministerial Association
Scotts Run Settlement House
Sobrania
Soup Opera
Taylor County Collaborative Family Resource Network
United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley
United Way of Harrison County
United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties
Upshur Cooperative Parish Inc
In addition to financial support, FirstEnergy employees regularly volunteer with food banks, pantries and other nonprofit organizations across West Virginia and Maryland. Through the company’s Volunteer Time Off program, employees can provide hands-on support that helps organizations serve more families while reducing operating costs.
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.