21 N.J. food banks and pantries benefit from $2.5 million six-state program

HOLMDEL, N.J. , Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The FirstEnergy Foundation is supporting local communities as part of its Hunger Action Month initiative – awarding $600,000 in grants to 21 New Jersey food banks and pantries. In total, the initiative is granting $2.5 million to 104 hunger relief organizations across New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia, marking the Foundation's largest hunger-relief investment to date.

The foundation's grants will provide approximately two million meals to families in communities served by Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).

Tackling A Growing Hunger Epidemic

Food insecurity is a growing crisis across the U.S., according to Feeding America and the USDA. Over one million people – 11.7% of the population – in New Jersey face food insecurity due to rising prices, climate-related disruptions and supply chain vulnerabilities.

Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy's President of New Jersey: "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."

Feeding the Community

Foodbanks receiving grants include:

• Bradley Food Pantry (Neptune City, Monmouth County) - $15,000.
• Catholic Charities' Hope House (Dover, Morris County) - $15,000.
• Community Foodbank of N.J. (Hillside, Union County) - $25,000.
• Community of Hope Ministries/Churches United for People (Spotswood, Middlesex County) - $10,000.
• Dermer Dreams (Fair Haven, Monmouth County) - $2,500.
• Feeding Middlesex County (Edison, Middlesex County) - $15,000.
• Foodbank Network of Somerset County (Bound Brook, Somerset County) - $25,000.
• Fulfill (Neptune, Monmouth County) - $75,000.
• Hands of Hope (Edison, Middlesex County) - $15,000.
• Interfaith Food Pantry Network (Morris Plains, Morris County) - $75,000.
• Jersey Shore Dream Center (Neptune City, Monmouth County) - $15,000.
• JFCSMC Nourish Pantry (Asbury Park, Monmouth County) - $7,500.
• Lacey Township Food Bank (Forked River, Ocean County) - $15,000.
• Lunch Break (Red Bank, Monmouth County) - $50,000.
• Mercy Center (Asbury Park, Monmouth County) - $50,000.
• NORWESCAP (Phillipsburg, Warren County) - $75,000.
• Project Self-Sufficiency (Newton, Sussex County) - $10,000.
• Rise (Hightstown, Monmouth County) - $50,000.
• Somebody C.A.R.E.S. Inc., Home to the Joel E. Perlmutter Memorial Food Pantry (Whiting, Ocean County) - $10,000.
• Spring Street Community Development (Morristown, Morris County) - $20,000.
• Trinity Center for the Community (Asbury Park, Monmouth County) - $25,000

Volunteering to Combat Hunger

In addition to grant funding, FirstEnergy demonstrates its commitment to community support by empowering employees with dedicated volunteer time-off (VTO) hours. This initiative enables JCP&L employees to provide hands-on, boots-on-the-ground assistance to local nonprofits. In 2024 alone, FirstEnergy employees contributed more than 26,000 volunteer hours across the company's service territory – supporting causes such as local food banks, pantries and other vital community organizations.

History of Support

The FirstEnergy Foundation and FirstEnergy employees have been fighting food insecurity for over two decades. Since 2021, FirstEnergy employees have donated $650,000 directly to organizations focused on fighting hunger and improving nutrition. Nearly $7 million has been raised by employees over the past 23 years through the annual Harvest for Hunger campaign.

Last year, the FirstEnergy Foundation donated nearly $800,000 to hunger-related initiatives. 

How to Apply for a FirstEnergy Foundation Grant in New Jersey 

The FirstEnergy Foundation provides support to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits that serve and meet the critical needs of our customers in communities served by JCP&L and FirstEnergy's electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business. Combined with the Hunger Action Month grants, the foundation has distributed more than $4 million in community support across FirstEnergy's service area to date in 2025.

The FirstEnergy Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. To inquire about grant opportunities, contact Alix Hayes, Community Involvement Consultant at ahayes@firstenergycorp.com.

JCP&L serves 1.2 million customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on X @JCP_L, on Facebook at facebook.com/JCPandL or online at jcp-l.com.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on X @FirstEnergyCorp or online at firstenergycorp.com.

Editor's Note:  Photos of JCP&L employees volunteering at recipient food banks and of organizations receiving their grants can be viewed/downloaded on FirstEnergy's Flickr channel. 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.