oakland, california–(business wire)– The PG&E Corporation Foundation (Foundation) is providing $750,000 to local food banks to feed individuals and families suffering from food insecurity. Donations are equivalent to approximately 4.5 million pounds of food, or 3.75 million meals, for individuals and families in need. The funds will support 39 food banks serving 49 counties within the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) service area.
California produces nearly half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables, but according to the California Food Bank Association, on average 1 in 5 residents (about 8 million people) wonder where their next meal comes from. I do not understand. Communities of color face even greater hunger.
“Our Placer Food Bank team is committed to providing access to healthy foods for people of all ages, genders, races and ethnicities in Placer, Eldorado and Nevada counties. Funds received from the PG&E Corporation Foundation will increase our purchasing power and enable us to expand and maintain a stable inventory for our Emergency Food/Disaster Relief response, which includes securing food or paying for gas. Rising housing costs due to rising food and living costs,” said Dave Martinez, executive director of The Placer Food Bank.
“We appreciate the continued work our local food banks are doing to combat hunger in our hometown. In California, it can be even more difficult for families to make ends meet, and a local food bank provides a necessary and important safety net,” said executive director of corporate affairs at PG&E Corporation. said Karla Peterman, vice president and chair of the PG&E Corporation Foundation Board of Directors.
The amount of the subsidy will use the California Department of Social Services formula to consider the poverty and unemployment levels of the county and promote equity among counties in need.
Supporting “Food ACCESS” and Emergency Preparedness
This year, in addition to grants to local food banks, the foundation supports the California Food Bank Association (CAFB) annual conference, Food ACCESS. The event brings together stakeholders from Food and Health Hunger Relief Services with a focus on equitable statewide safety nets and ending hunger in California.
The Foundation and PG&E have been longtime supporters of CAFB and county food banks, giving a combined $3.25 million over the past four years.
“For more than two years, food banks have been at the forefront of responding to the ongoing hunger crisis, but now family and food bank budgets are being further eroded by high food and fuel prices. California Food Bank Association: “We are grateful to PG&E for continuing our partnership with our member food banks at a time of greatest need. We believe it’s a basic human right, and thanks to PG&E’s support, the 2022 Food ACCESS Conference will be accessible to everyone in California.”
In addition, PG&E has agreements with 23 local food banks in high fire risk areas to provide food alternatives during and after Public Safety Power Outages (PSPS). PSPS is used as a last resort to reduce wildfire risk during extreme wind-driven weather. PG&E understands that food waste is difficult for customers, and through these agreements, PG&E provides reimbursement to food banks that provide food replacements to residents. To find a local food bank that has partnered with PG&E, visit PGE.com/PSPSresources.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility that serves more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles of Northern and Central California. For more information, please visit www.pge.com/ and http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.
About PG&E Corporation Foundation
The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E Corporation.