Avangrid Foundation Grant to Support FeedMore WNY Commissary, Graduating Class of FeedMore WNY Workforce Development Program
March 19 2024 - 2:01PM
Business Wire
The 13th cohort of FeedMore WNY’s free workforce development
program, RISE, graduated yesterday, thanks in significant part to a
grant from the Avangrid Foundation, the primary philanthropic arm
of NYSEG’s parent company Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR). The Avangrid
Foundation recently awarded a $20,000 grant to FeedMore WNY,
$10,000 of which supported the RISE program. The additional $10,000
from the grant was allocated for critical equipment improvements in
FeedMore WNY’s commissary.
“On behalf of our entire team, I want to congratulate all of the
RISE graduates on their monumental achievement,” said Pedro
Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “At Avangrid, we’re committed to
supporting programs and initiatives that create long-lasting
impacts in our communities. FeedMore WNY’s RISE program provides
the skills, resources, and confidence needed to help graduates find
gainful employment so that they can provide for themselves and
their families.”
FeedMore WNY’s RISE program is geared toward individuals who
face high barriers to employment. The Avangrid Foundation grant
enabled the 11 students comprising the 13th class of the RISE
Logistics program to receive essential equipment, including
steel-toed boots and class materials; earn multiple logistics
certifications; and provide wraparound services, including
transportation fare and daily meals. Upon graduation, all RISE
students earn nationally recognized certifications for a career in
logistics and have developed necessary skills to obtain gainful
employment and achieve financial self-sufficiency. Many students
receive multiple job offers from FeedMore WNY employer partners
upon graduation.
In addition, Avangrid Foundation’s grant provided funds for
necessary equipment upgrades within FeedMore WNY’s commissary,
which produces approximately 28,000 meals per week for older
adults, neighbors who are homebound and unable to shop for or
prepare food, as well as other area nonprofits. In 2023, FeedMore
WNY provided more than 1.4 million prepared meals for the Western
New York community.
“There is no better way to invest in the future, than providing
training that leads to secure jobs,” said Trish Nilsen,
president and CEO of NYSEG. “We know there is an ongoing need
to address food insecurity in Western New York, and that’s why
we’re pleased to join in FeedMore WNY’s mission by not just giving
food to families in need, but also creating opportunities for
people to provide for their families through the RISE program.”
“FeedMore WNY is grateful for the continued partnership with
NYSEG and the Avangrid Foundation, including their support through
this generous grant. The support of the Avangrid Foundation has
allowed us to provide more vital meals to our vulnerable neighbors
as well as to play a key role in the transformation of the lives of
our RISE students, providing hope and brighter futures for our
graduates and their families,” Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO
of FeedMore WNY, said.
About Avangrid Foundation: The Avangrid Foundation is an
independent, nonprofit organization that funds philanthropic
investments that primarily impact communities where Avangrid, Inc.
and its subsidiaries operate. Since 2001, the Avangrid Foundation
and its predecessors have invested more than $38.9 million in
partnerships that focus on building sustainable, vital and healthy
communities; preserving cultural and artistic heritage; advancing
education; and improving people’s lives. The Avangrid Foundation is
committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development
Goals in the United States. For more information, please visit
www.avangridfoundation.org.
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be
the leading sustainable energy company in the United States.
Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $44 billion in
assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary
lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks
business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas
utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and
New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and
operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities
across the United States. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000
people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022, 2023
and 2024 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s
best corporate citizens. In 2024, Avangrid ranked first among
utilities and 12 overall. The company supports the U.N.’s
Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most
Ethical Companies in 2024 for the sixth consecutive year by the
Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of
companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit
www.avangrid.com.
About FeedMore WNY: FeedMore WNY offers dignity, hope and
a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and
skills training to its Western New York neighbors in need. Through
its food bank distribution center and partner hunger-relief
agencies, as well as its home-delivered meal program, other
targeted feeding programs and RISE workforce development training,
FeedMore WNY alleviates hunger and assists community members of all
ages throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.
More information is available at www.feedmorewny.org.
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Media: Sarah Warren sarah.warren@avangrid.com
585-794-9253
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