Press Releases
03/19/2024
Avangrid Foundation grant to support FeedMore WNY commissary, graduating class of FeedMore WNY workforce development program
Avangrid Foundation grant to support FeedMore WNY commissary, graduating class of FeedMore WNY workforce development program
BUFFALO, N.Y. — March 19, 2024 — 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: 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 Iberdrola: Iberdrola is one of the world's biggest energy companies and a leader in renewables, spearheading the energy transition to a low carbon economy. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries. With a focus on renewable energy, smart networks and smart solutions for customers, Iberdrola’s main markets include Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Greece), the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. The company is also present in growth markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Sweden and Poland, among others.
With a workforce of nearly 40,000 and assets in excess of €141.7 billion, across the world, Iberdrola helps to support 400,000 jobs across its supply chain, with annual procurement of €12.2 billion. A benchmark in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola has invested more than €130 billion over the past two decades to help build a sustainable energy model, based on sound environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
