Essential Utilities Shows Holiday Spirit Announcing More than $1.2 Million in Donations Through Two Major Campaigns

More than $520,000 donated specifically to fight hunger in local communities

BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) today announced the successful results of its 2025-2026 United Way campaign and its fifth annual Fall for Food Banks initiative. The two company-wide efforts mobilized employees across its nine-state footprint, resulting in donations totaling $1,277,325 to support local communities facing food insecurity and other challenges.

Through the United Way campaign, more than $755,000 was raised through individual pledges from employees from the company’s water and gas segments, Aqua and Peoples Natural Gas, as well as a matching gift from the company’s Essential Foundation. The donation was presented to the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey as the host of the campaign, to be distributed to the hundreds of individual charities selected.

The fifth annual Fall for Food Banks initiative was the company’s largest to date, featuring a series of food drives, volunteer events and charitable donations where Essential, Aqua and Peoples employees contributed significantly to alleviating food insecurity. Key highlights include:

Fall for Food Banks

• Empowered 285 employees across nine states to volunteer more than 1,000 hours at dozens of food pantries, helping to feed more than 55,000 people
• Donated more than $520,000 through the Essential Foundation to hunger relief efforts
• Supported more than 70 partner organizations feeding their communities

United Way

• Raised more than $373,000 through employee pledges, boosted by the Essential Foundation for a total gift upwards of $755,000
• More than 61% of Essential employees participated in the giving campaign
• Donations will benefit nearly 480 organizations

“Our team is deeply committed to improving the lives of our neighbors,” said Essential Utilities Chairman and CEO Chris Franklin. “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. Together, we’re demonstrating the power of collective action to drive meaningful change.”

The Essential Foundation partners with organizations that align with the company’s mission to enhance quality of life for the communities it serves.

“It’s always inspiring to see partners like Essential Utilities rolling up their sleeves to make a difference,” said Chester County Food Bank CEO Andrea Youndt. “Not only did Essential provide critical support for our holiday meal program for seniors, but they volunteered in our kitchen to plate and pack the meals themselves. We’re truly grateful for your generosity and commitment to helping our Chester County neighbors.”

“Essential Utilities continues to set the standard for leadership in our region,” said Bill Golderer, President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. “Their culture of generosity, commitment, and service shines through in everything they do, and year after year, that generosity only grows. For the thousands of neighbors working every day toward a better future, we thank Essential for standing with United Way and championing our mission.”

The partnerships between Aqua, Peoples Natural Gas and the United Way span more than two decades. Since the companies merged in 2020, Essential Utilities has donated more than $4.6 million to the United Way.

Fall for Food Banks is a cornerstone of Essential’s commitment to providing life-sustaining resources to the communities it serves. Since Fall for Food Banks launched in 2021, Essential has donated over $1.3 million to charitable organizations combating food insecurity. More than 900 employees have volunteered 3,100 hours to support more than 175 organizations addressing this critical issue.

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE:WTRG) delivers safe, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve, donating more than $4 million from the Essential Foundation each year, and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting thousands of acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 9 states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. Learn more at www.essential.co.

About United Way

United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey (UWGPSNJ) is on a mission to end poverty and expand opportunity for all. Serving Pennsylvania’s Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and New Jersey’s Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May and Cumberland counties, United Way creates solutions that break the cycle of poverty. As part of a network of independent local nonprofit organizations, United Way provides countless ways to give, advocate and volunteer. To learn more, visit www.unitedforimpact.org.

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