Helping Our Neighbors Have a Happy Thanksgiving

As the holidays approach, excitement is high for enjoying cherished family recipes, gathering with loved ones over a shared meal, and indulging in our favorite treats. However, many of our neighbors struggle to find affordable food not only during the holidays, but throughout the entire year. According to Feeding Pennsylvania, 1 in 8 Pennsylvanians experience food insecurity. UGI Utilities and its employees are dedicated to supporting food security in our service territory.

Employees recently volunteered with the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) Weinberg Food Bank for their Thanksgiving Food Distribution in Wilkes Barre. Each family was given a variety of shelf-stable side dishes, fresh produce and a turkey. The multi-day food distribution served approximately 9,000 families in Luzerne and Wyoming counties.

“I volunteered because I believe in giving back to the community and supporting organizations, like CEO, that create meaningful change. Being part of this volunteer event was deeply rewarding, and I’m proud to be involved in something that truly makes a difference in the lives of the people in our community. This event has also given me a deeper sense of gratitude for the things I have and the things I can afford,” says UGI volunteer, Carrie.

Employees volunteered at Power Packs Project in Lancaster to assemble 350 Thanksgiving meal boxes that will be distributed at Solanco School District.

“I feel grateful to be able to participate in these types of activities. It makes a difference in our communities. I strongly believe volunteering improves the lives of vulnerable populations and builds resilient communities,” says UGI volunteer, Shahira.

Employees will also volunteer at Midwest Food Bank in Middletown ahead of Thanksgiving to pack food boxes for distribution to organizations and communities in need.

Through the Scouting for Food program, the Boy Scouts Hawk Mountain Council recently gathered 55,000 pounds of food donations ahead of the holidays. Employees volunteered with Helping Harvest Food Bank in Reading to sort the donations. The food will be distributed to Helping Harvest’s network of agency partners throughout Berks and Schuylkill counties.

Employees in UGI’s Stroudsburg office collected a box of non-perishable food items to support Valor Clinic’s Holiday Meals program, which provides holiday meal food baskets to over 500 veteran families in eastern Pennsylvania.

Thank you to our employees for helping to support food security in the communities in which we live and work!

Follow UGI Utilities on Facebook (@UGIUtilities), Twitter (@UGI_Utilities), and Instagram (@ugiutilities) or visit https://www.ugi.com/community-programs to learn more about how UGI is supporting the community.