While a relatively small part of our philanthropic efforts, we support a limited number of initiatives that align with and extend beyond our core program areas. These grants focus on causes that are personally important to our Chairman and the Gerstner family, such as hunger relief, disaster response and other special projects.

In response to the rising demand for hunger relief, this area has become a priority in our grantmaking. We concentrate on addressing “last mile” challenges to ensure food reaches those who need it most. Our efforts are focused in our core geographies, supporting regional food banks, food rescue organizations, and local pantries to get more food to people now and in the future.

Beyond emergency relief, we prioritize transformational gifts and comprehensive services designed to create sustainable solutions. By investing in programs that ensure ongoing access to food for underserved populations, we aim to build stronger, more resilient communities for the long term.

“Through our Helping Hands program, we have often discovered that individuals receiving emergency cash assistance are also grappling with food insecurity. It is unacceptable that 13.5% of households in the United States face this challenge.” - Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., Chairman