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NRG Energy Mobilizes Employees for Back-to-School Campaign

Across 20 Cities and More Than 50 Volunteer Events, Packing 300,000 Meals and 10,000 Supply Kits for Students Across North America

NRG Energy Mobilizes Employees for Back-to-School Campaign

Across 20 Cities and More Than 50 Volunteer Events, Packing 300,000 Meals and 10,000 Supply Kits for Students Across North America

The campaign marks the first major activation under Brighter Communities, NRG’s new enterprise-wide philanthropy and community engagement program.


HOUSTON —Updated September 04, 2026 — NRG Energy, Inc. today announced its 2026 Back-to-School campaign as part of Brighter Communities, the company's new enterprise-wide philanthropy and community engagement program. This year's campaign spans 20 cities and more than 50 volunteer events, with employees supporting students and families by helping pack and distribute:

  • 177,484 meals for children facing food insecurity heading into the new school year
  • 18,317 school supply kits stocked with pencils, pens, markers and erasers
  • 1,364 backpacks filled with school supplies

To date, 977 NRG employees have contributed 2,017.75 volunteer hours to support back-to-school initiatives across 23 communities and 9 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Across 23 Cities and More Than 50 Volunteer Events, Packing 177,484 Meals and over 17,000 Supply Kits for Students Across North America.

“Back-to-School is about more than supplies. It’s about showing up for the communities that show up for us every day,” said Melissa Hensley, senior director of community investment and engagement, NRG Energy. “From Houston and Philadelphia to Salt Lake City and Calgary, NRG employees are stepping away from their desks and heading into their communities to pack meals, fill backpacks assemble school supply kits and ensure local students are ready to learn. Our Brighter Communities initiative is proof of what’s possible when a company makes community investment a business priority, not an afterthought.”

Key back-to-school events include:

  • Houston In-Office Volunteer Week (July 27-30): NRG’s Houston office hosted a weeklong internal volunteer activation at its corporate headquarters, with multiple two-hour volunteer shifts available for employees throughout the week.
  • Houston Rockets Back-to-School Bash (Houston, July 31): Reliant employees joined a large-scale back-to-school event in partnership with the Houston Rockets, distributing supplies and connecting families with community resources.
  • Education Matters Pack Hope (Calgary, August 20): Employees will pack backpacks and essential supplies benefiting students across the Calgary Board of Education.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters x Feltonville (Philadelphia, August 21): NRG volunteers will distribute 200 clear backpacks with school supplies for students at Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence.

NRG's Back-to-School campaign is made possible in part through partnerships with local nonprofits and community organizations across each market. These organizations work year-round to support students and families facing barriers to educational success.

“Meaningful community change happens when businesses and nonprofits work side by side toward a shared goal,” said Jessica Galleshaw, deputy director & chief opportunity officer at City of Dallas. “NRG’s commitment to showing up through volunteer hours, financial support and sustained partnership has made a tangible difference for the families and communities we serve. Brighter Communities reflects exactly the kind of intentional, long-term investment that helps organizations like ours do more. We’re proud to be part of this effort and look forward to what we can build together.”

 

About Brighter Communities


Brighter Communities is NRG's enterprise-wide philanthropy and community engagement program, bringing together the company's teams, sites and brands under a single unified framework. The program brings several legacy initiatives, including Reliant Gives, Vivint Gives Back, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, and other brand activations into one cohesive strategy built for scale.

Brighter Communities also offers flexible ways for employees to give back year-round, including team-based volunteering, company gift matching up to $1,000 annually, an ambassador program for championing local nonprofits, and Dollars for Hours, a program that rewards employees with $10 to a qualified nonprofit of their choice for every hour they volunteer outside of company-organized events.

In 2025, NRG's community investment was reflected in its impact across the enterprise:

  • Approximately $8.5 million donated through charitable giving
  • More than 5,000 volunteers engaged
  • More than 24,000 volunteer hours contributed
  • Support delivered across 42 U.S. states and Canadian provinces
  • 785+ charitable organizations supported through volunteerism and donations

Back-to-School is one of four Brighter Communities signature events. Additional enterprise-wide activations this year include Heart Health Month, Impact Week, and the Season of Giving and Joy.

 

About NRG


NRG is a leading provider of electricity, natural gas, and smart home solutions to eight million customers across North America. The company operates a customer-first platform supported by a diversified supply strategy and the safe, reliable operation of approximately 25 GW of power generation. NRG plays a meaningful role in competitive energy markets and our innovative team is creating the flexible and affordable solutions that households and large businesses need today and in the future. Visit nrg.com for more information, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

 

Media Contact:


Madeline Alvarez,
Madeline.Alvarez@nrg.com,
832-421-5145