FirstEnergy employees from West Penn Power recently volunteered at the Westmoreland Food Bank in Pennsylvania to kick off the 2024 Harvest for Hunger campaign. Scott Wyman, President of FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania Operations, led the volunteers and humorously dubbed them “Team Frozen Hands” as they packed food boxes for military personnel and veterans in need.
Laurie Peddicord, Manager of Legal Operations, joined the efforts by stacking various food items, including wagyu beef steaks and hot dogs, into the boxes. The volunteers worked diligently to fill the boxes with a variety of items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, to support the Westmoreland Food Bank’s Military Share program.
Expressing gratitude for the partnership with FirstEnergy, Jennifer Miller, CEO of the Westmoreland Food Bank, highlighted the importance of the volunteers' contributions. She mentioned the challenges faced by many individuals in the community, stating, “We have a lot of working poor coming to us now. People who were promised high wages during the pandemic and have since seen their paychecks trimmed.”
The collaborative efforts at the food bank marked the beginning of FirstEnergy’s annual Harvest for Hunger campaign, a longstanding initiative aimed at combating food insecurity. Jeff Abramowitz, the food bank’s Director of Employee and Volunteer Engagement, emphasized the significant impact of volunteer support, stating, “This is one of those organizations that makes it easy for FirstEnergy employees to volunteer.”
Abramowitz further highlighted the critical role volunteers play in supplementing the food bank's staff, enabling them to serve the community effectively. He noted the positive outcomes of their efforts, mentioning, “Today, you are going to be saving lives. By providing food to those in need, you address hundreds of issues.”
The Westmoreland Food Bank, a volunteer-powered non-profit organization, serves thousands of families each month, distributing millions of pounds of food annually. The collective efforts of volunteers like those from FirstEnergy contribute to brightening lives and making a difference, one meal at a time.