PSEG and the PSEG Foundation said Dec. 21 they are donating $1.5 million to 14 organizations throughout the New Jersey and Long Island service territories that provide help to thousands of families and individuals who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The nonprofit organizations receiving these surprise year-end contributions address needs that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, such as food insecurity, unemployment, mental and physical health, and poverty. The gifts also will provide support for ongoing issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse and child neglect.
‘It is our privilege to be able to support community organizations that are providing much-needed assistance to countless families and communities who are facing enormous hardship because of the coronavirus pandemic,’ said Rick Thigpen, PSEG’s senior vice president for Corporate Citizenship and chairman of the PSEG Foundation. ‘In the spirit of the season, we’re proud to make these Community Gifts on behalf of our employees across New Jersey and New York, and support these organizations that are helping to make things better for people throughout the many diverse communities we serve.’
With today’s gift, PSEG and the PSEG Foundation have now committed $5 million in foundation and corporate giving initiatives since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to today’s $1.5 million contribution to community organizations, the company and its foundation announced a $2.5 million commitment to pandemic relief organizations in April and the $1 million Powering Equity and Social Justice Initiative in June.
One of the recipients of a PSEG Community Gift was HomeFront, headquartered in Ewing, whose mission is to end homelessness in central New Jersey.
‘The holidays are typically one of the busiest times of the year for organizations like HomeFront, and the need is even greater this year due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,’ HomeFront Executive Director Connie Mercer said. ‘This surprise donation from PSEG and the PSEG Foundation comes at the time when our need is greatest. We’re so grateful for the support that companies like PSEG provide — through funding and volunteerism — all year-round. We couldn’t do this without them.’
‘We are so grateful for PSEG’s support and grant,’ said Mary Robinson, executive director and founder of Mountainside and Newark-based Imagine, a Center for Coping with Loss. ‘The Imagine staff and our amazing volunteers are passionate about supporting families coping with traumatic loss and life-altering situations. There is a pandemic of grief right now and the need for support is so great.’
Organizations receiving PSEG Community Gift donations in New Jersey include:
Cathedral Soup Kitchen, Camden
Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Hillside
Eva’s Village, Paterson
Food Bank of South Jersey, Pennsauken
HomeFront, Ewing
Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, Mountainside
Mental Health Association of Morris and Essex, Montclair
Newark Working Kitchens, Newark
Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children, Paterson
Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, Trenton
Youth Consultation Services Inc., Hackensack
In New York:
Association for Mental Health & Wellness, Ronkonkoma
Family Service League, Huntington
Island Harvest, Bethpage
