In 2023, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank saw the tremendous impact of its dedicated volunteers who contributed over 64,000 hours of service, helping provide more than 1.6 million meals to local families in need. These volunteers played a crucial role in supporting the community, and now they have a new space to shine and work safely - the FirstEnergy Foundation Volunteer Center.
The Volunteer Center, located at the Foodbank’s Akron Warehouse, was made possible by the FirstEnergy Foundation's generous donation of $750,000. This facility will serve as a hub for volunteers to sort, inspect, relabel, and repackage donated food items, further enhancing the Foodbank's ability to meet the growing needs of the community.
Katie Carver Reed, Vice President of the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank, expressed gratitude towards FirstEnergy and its associates, stating, “FirstEnergy and its associates have long supported the foodbank in a variety of ways including a robust volunteer program.” She highlighted the importance of recognizing their support with the establishment of the FirstEnergy Foundation Volunteer Center.
The commitment of FirstEnergy and its employees to combat hunger and support the community has been longstanding. Over the past five years, the company has contributed nearly $450,000 to the foodbank and raised approximately $2.1 million through initiatives like the Harvest for Hunger campaign, equivalent to nearly 15 million meals.
To mark the inauguration of the Volunteer Center and kick off the 2024 Harvest for Hunger campaign, FirstEnergy President and CEO, Brian Tierney, led a day of community service on April 3. Together with executives and employees, they packed meals, sorted supplies, and checked expiration dates of items, demonstrating their dedication to corporate stewardship and community service.
Hyun Park, Senior Vice President & Chief Legal Officer at FirstEnergy, who also serves on the foodbank’s Board of Directors, emphasized the significance of their efforts, stating, “I can’t think of a more basic or fundamental need... At the end of the day, it’s about walking the talk. It’s about one human being helping another.”
The establishment of the FirstEnergy Foundation Volunteer Center not only provides a space for volunteers to make a tangible impact on the community but also symbolizes the ongoing commitment of FirstEnergy and its employees to support those in need.