BRYN MAWR, PA — Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) said its employees raised and donated $1,277,325 through the company’s 2025–2026 United Way campaign and its fifth annual Fall for Food Banks initiative, marking one of the largest community impact efforts in the utility’s history.
The company said the combined campaigns mobilized employees across its nine-state service footprint, supporting communities facing food insecurity and other economic challenges through financial contributions, volunteer hours, and partnerships with local nonprofits.
More than $755,000 of the total came from the United Way campaign, funded through employee pledges from Essential’s water and natural gas businesses, Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas, and matched by the company’s Essential Foundation. The funds were presented to the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, which will distribute the donations to hundreds of charities selected by employees.
The Fall for Food Banks initiative accounted for more than $520,000 in donations through the Essential Foundation and represented the program’s largest year since its launch. The effort included food drives, volunteer events, and direct financial support to hunger relief organizations.
According to the company, 285 employees volunteered more than 1,000 hours at food pantries and partner organizations, helping provide meals to more than 55,000 people. The initiative supported more than 70 hunger relief organizations across the regions Essential serves.
“Our team is deeply committed to improving the lives of our neighbors,” said Chris Franklin, chairman and chief executive officer of Essential Utilities. “Both our United Way Campaign and Fall for Food Banks initiative empower us to make a tangible difference for those facing food insecurity or other challenges.”
Employee participation remained strong, with more than 61 percent of Essential’s workforce taking part in the United Way campaign. Donations from that effort will benefit nearly 480 organizations.
Community partners credited the company with combining financial support and hands-on involvement. Andrea Youndt, chief executive officer of the Chester County Food Bank, said Essential employees not only supported the organization’s holiday meal program for seniors but also volunteered to prepare and pack meals.
Bill Golderer, president and chief executive officer of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, said Essential Utilities continues to play a leading role in regional philanthropy, citing the company’s long-standing partnership with United Way.
The relationship between Aqua, Peoples Natural Gas, and United Way spans more than two decades. Since the companies merged in 2020, Essential Utilities has donated more than $4,600,000 to United Way organizations.
Fall for Food Banks has become a central component of the company’s community engagement strategy. Since the program launched in 2021, Essential has contributed more than $1,300,000 to organizations combating food insecurity, with more than 900 employees logging over 3,100 volunteer hours in support of more than 175 partner organizations.
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