The FirstEnergy Foundation has awarded $20,000 in “Gifts of the Season” grants to two nonprofit organizations serving New Jersey communities through its electric company Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L). These awards are part of a larger program that will distribute $100,000 to eight nonprofits across five states within FirstEnergy’s service area in 2025.
To address food and housing insecurity, a $10,000 grant was given to Our Lady of Victories Church St. Vincent De Paul Society Food Pantry in Sayreville, Middlesex County. The funds will help provide proteins and dairy products for the 200 people served monthly by the pantry. During holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, demand increases, with the pantry helping over 300 individuals.
Another $10,000 grant was awarded to The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Essex County. This funding supports expansion of burn prevention education and fire safety programs throughout central and northern New Jersey. Over 13,000 people have completed these programs this year, including many JCP&L linemen.
Doug Mokoid, President of FirstEnergy New Jersey, stated: “Supporting organizations that strengthen our communities is a year-round commitment, but even more important during the holiday season when the needs of individuals and families can be especially great. These grants help local nonprofits respond to urgent needs and build safer, healthier communities by giving families access to essential services and important safety education.”
Since launching “Gifts of the Season” in 2016, the FirstEnergy Foundation has provided $1.2 million in grants to local nonprofits and community initiatives. The program aims to foster inclusion and adapt to changing community needs.
The Foundation provides support only to eligible 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits serving customers in areas where JCP&L or other FirstEnergy companies operate. In 2025 alone, it has distributed more than $5.5 million across its operational area.
FirstEnergy emphasizes corporate responsibility through environmental and community initiatives as described on its official website (https://www.firstenergycorp.com/about/corporate-responsibility.html?_gl=1*t8gjrv*_up*MQ..*_ga*NTEzMTczNTMzLjE3NjQwMTA5Mzg.*_ga_TVQJK7Z44E*czE3NjQwMTA5MzckbzEkZzEkdDE3NjQwMTE0NzckajYwJGwwJGgw). The company operates one of the largest investor-owned electric systems in the country with over six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York (https://www.firstenergycorp.com/about.html?_gl=1*1pny36x*_up*MQ..*_ga*NTEzMTczNTMzLjE3NjQwMTA5Mzg.*_ga_TVQJK7Z44E*czE3NjQwMTA5MzckbzEkZzAkdDE3NjQwMTA5MzckajYwJGwwJGgw), managing approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines and offering both distribution and transmission services.
FirstEnergy’s history includes mergers with GPU Inc. in 2001 and Allegheny Energy in 2011 (https://www.firstenergycorp.com/about/company_history.html?_gl=1*rqa15o*_up*MQ..*_ga*NTEzMTczNTMzLjE3NjQwMTA5Mzg.*_ga_TVQJK7Z44E*czE3NjQwMTA5MzckbzEkZzEkdDE3NjQwMTEyNTkkajYwJGwwJGgw), while maintaining a focus on integrity and reliability supported by a diverse workforce (https://www.firstenergycorp.com/about.html?_gl=1*1pny36x*_up*MQ..*_ga*NTEzMTczNTMzLjE3NjQwMTA5Mzg.*_ga_TVQJK7Z44E*czE3NjQwMTA5MzckbzEkZzAkdDE3NjQwMTA5MzckajYwJGwwJGgw).
For more information about grant opportunities from the FirstEnergy Foundation or eligibility requirements for nonprofits operating in JCP&L’s service area, visit their official webpage or contact Alix Hayes at ahayes@firstenergycorp.com.
JCP&L serves about 1.2 million customers across multiple counties in New Jersey including Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.
