Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has announced a $1 million donation to local food banks across Northern and Central California. The contribution aims to provide around 3 million meals for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in the region. This latest donation will support 38 food banks serving 47 counties within PG&E’s service area.
This is the third major donation from PG&E or The PG&E Corporation Foundation since September, bringing the total support for community food programs this year to $2.37 million. All funding comes from PG&E shareholders rather than customers.
Food banks in California are facing high demand, with officials noting that need has reached levels not seen since the pandemic. Stacia Levenfeld, Chief Executive Officer of California Association of Food Banks, said, “California food banks experienced an unexpected surge with the [federal government] shutdown this fall. So, we reached out for help on their behalf and PG&E responded. Their $1 million gift to food banks throughout Northern and Central California will have a meaningful impact on the lives of millions of people this holiday season and help food banks continue their critical work in our communities.”
Carla Peterman, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs at PG&E Corporation and Chair of The PG&E Corporation Foundation Board, added, “We are grateful to help local food banks fulfill their mission during this time of increasing demand, especially as more families and seniors are struggling through the holiday season. Our longstanding partnership with the California Association of Food Banks supports the safety net that is our local food banks.”
Earlier in September, The PG&E Foundation gave $1.12 million to support local and tribal food banks as well as senior meal programs. In November, another $250,000 was donated to the California Association of Food Banks’ Emergency Response Fund.
According to data from the California Association of Food Banks, more than one in five Californians experience uncertainty about where their next meal will come from despite the state producing nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables. Rates are even higher among communities of color.
Grant amounts provided by PG&E are distributed based on county poverty and unemployment rates using guidelines from the California Department of Social Services.
PG&E serves over 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California as a combined natural gas and electric utility. Additional information can be found at pge.com or through this link.
