The FirstEnergy Foundation has announced $20,000 in “Gifts of the Season” grants to two Ohio nonprofit organizations. The recipients are Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley and Martin Luther King Kitchen for the Poor, each receiving $10,000 to support food and housing initiatives in their communities.
Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley will use its grant to provide meals, shelter, and resources for people experiencing homelessness in Youngstown. Over the past year, the organization served more than 130,000 meals and provided overnight shelter to over 1,000 individuals.
Martin Luther King Kitchen for the Poor serves vulnerable residents in Toledo’s central city by offering daily nutritious meals. In 2024, it served 36,500 meals and distributed 3,000 food boxes to families in south Toledo.
Torrence Hinton, FirstEnergy’s Ohio President, stated: “The holidays can be especially tough for families in need, and colder weather adds even more pressure. For neighbors without a warm bed or a place to call home, Ohio’s harsh conditions make shelter a lifeline. Thanks to the incredible work of our nonprofit partners, more people will have access to warm meals, safe shelter and the care they deserve. We’re grateful to stand alongside these organizations in supporting our communities.”
This initiative is part of a broader effort by FirstEnergy Foundation’s “Gifts of the Season” program which will distribute $100,000 across eight nonprofits in five states during 2025. Since its inception in 2016, this program has awarded $1.2 million in grants.
The FirstEnergy Foundation supports tax-exempt nonprofits that address critical needs within areas served by FirstEnergy Corp.’s electric companies. In 2025 alone, it has distributed over $5.5 million across its operational area.
FirstEnergy Corp., established through mergers beginning with Ohio Edison Company and Centerior Energy Corporation in 1997 [source], provides electricity distribution and transmission services across six states including Ohio [source]. The company manages about 24,000 miles of transmission lines [source] and serves more than six million customers [source]. The company emphasizes corporate responsibility through environmental programs and community engagement [source].
For information on grant opportunities or sponsorships from FirstEnergy Foundation, interested parties are encouraged to visit their official website or contact their Community Involvement team.
