Tag: 3BL

That’s a wrap on Earth Month at Paramount!

In celebration of Earth Month, Paramount colleagues joined each other across their communities to help make an environmental difference where needed! A few highlights include:

The Paramount Pictures Green Team joined Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) for their Spring Community Clean-Up in Lafayette Park. Volunteers picked up trash, planted flowers and greenery, and got creative—painting mini flowerpots and making beaded bracelets with encouraging messages for the local kids.

In NYC, Paramount volunteers rolled up their sleeves to refresh Battery Park with some light gardening, aerating the soil, and spreading grass seed to allow for new growth.

The NYC Paramount office also hosted a Green Expo spotlighting eco-conscious local businesses. Employees discovered sustainable products and caught a live cooking demo called the Chef’s Table.

Virtually, Paramount volunteers tuned in for a hands-on workshop with the Urban Ecology Center, where they learned how to upcycle old t-shirts into reusable tote bags.

Paramount extends a huge thank you to all the passionate employees who got their hands dirty (literally) and had a great time doing it!

About Paramount Global
Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic studios, networks and streaming services, its portfolio of consumer brands includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, Paramount Global provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions.

CLEVELAND, May 12, 2025 /3BL/ – The Acceleration Project (TAP) and KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) have successfully partnered to complete a Business Growth Accelerator in Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood, bringing together 35 passionate entrepreneurs eager to take their businesses to the next level.

The Business Growth Accelerator program featured four workshops for small business entrepreneurs, each followed by two weeks of individual coaching, culminating in an in-person graduation on April 17. Topics covered include branding, credit management, understanding financial statements, and borrowing. This comprehensive approach aligns with KeyBank’s commitment to supporting small business growth and economic development in the communities it serves.

The program kicked off Feb. 5, with a high-impact, in-person session titled Position to Win: Crafting Your Brand Positioning, setting the stage for a series of workshops designed to empower business owners and unlock growth potential. “This collaboration demonstrates the power of expert guidance in driving small business success,” said Jane Veron, CEO of TAP. “By providing tailored advice, beginning with this session on brand strategy and positioning, we’re helping business owners map out concrete plans for growth and improved brand visibility.”

Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy, employing nearly half of the American workforce and contributing 43.5% of the nation’s GDP (U.S. Chamber of Commerce, May 2024). However, 23.2% fail within the first year, and nearly half do not survive past five years (Lending Tree, February 2025).

“We congratulate the entrepreneurs who took part in the Business Growth Accelerator. KeyBank is proud to partner with TAP to learn more about these entrepreneurs’ goals and dreams, and help them succeed,” said Aaron Arnoczky, Business Banking Relationship Manager for KeyBank in Cleveland. “We are excited by their enthusiasm and our partnership with TAP that provided these small business owners with advice and tools they need to grow and thrive.”

“We’re also grateful for the role of Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. (BBC), the community development corporation serving the Central, Kinsman, and Buckeye neighborhoods of Cleveland, whose outreach and on-the-ground connection made this program possible,” said Eric Fiala, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at KeyBank and CEO of KeyBank Foundation. “Thank you to BBC for their efforts to identify and engage local small business owners—their partnership helped us reach the heart of the community and ensure that the businesses who could benefit most were at the table.”

The program was a resounding success, with nearly 100% of participants saying they were very satisfied with it and gained a better understanding of the topics presented. Following a personalized Brand Positioning Coaching Session, one business owner shared her delight with the service provided by her TAP consultant, ‘I love that Karen reviewed my site and brand before our call. Her expertise was evident, and her commitment to improving my brand was clear”. Other comments from participants in workshops and individual sessions included:

• “The Business Growth Accelerator was incredibly impactful. It gave me clarity, strategy, and confidence to scale. A key takeaway was the importance of systems and partnerships for sustainable growth. Moving forward, I’ll apply these insights to streamline operations and expand my spice line nationally.”
• “Each meeting really helped my company TREMENDOUSLY! From understanding the next updates I need to do for my website to help us reach a broader audience to digging deeper into my next steps into getting funding. I’m so very satisfied with the content of the programs.”
• “The sessions provided a baseline of information to use with our 1-on-1s. The mentors in the 1-on-1 sessions were so laser-focused in helping us individually and that was truly appreciated.”

TAP’s work is made possible through the support of funders and strategic partners who play a critical role in sustaining its mission, fueling innovative programming, and strengthening the infrastructure needed to expand its reach. Through these collaborations, TAP ensures that small businesses don’t just survive—they thrive, driving economic vitality and long-term prosperity. To learn more and support TAP’s efforts in transforming small businesses and strengthening communities, contact Amy Berardi at amyb@theaccelerationproject.org.

Learn more about KeyBank’s opportunities and programs for your small business by visiting key.com/small-business. KeyBank offers a range of tools, including the KeyBank Small Business Check-In, Business Cash Flow Calculator and a Business Fraud Hub with resources for protecting your business against fraud.

About KeyCorp

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2025.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

About The Acceleration Project (TAP)
The Acceleration Project (TAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating small business growth and fostering economic vitality in local communities. Founded in 2012, TAP provides customized consulting to thousands of small business owners, addressing strategic, financial, marketing, and operational challenges.

The Acceleration Project (TAP) is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. We rely on the generosity of donors, partners and sponsors to support our work and keep our services accessible.

Follow The Acceleration Project (TAP) on: LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube.

https://www.theaccelerationproject.org/

CFMA #250415-3159428

Food service procurement offers untapped potential to pave the way for healthier, more sustainable diets. How can organizations rethink their procurement strategies to prioritize nutrition and drive significant progress?

According to Jackie Schulz, MS, RDN, Global Senior Director of Nutrition at Griffith Foods, “If we want to see real change in food systems, we need to embed nutrition considerations into every stage of decision-making, including procurement. Equipping teams with the right knowledge helps ensure that nutrition isn’t an afterthought but a core part of how food is sourced and served.”

Take a deep dive into this new report: Nutrition Meets Procurement produced by the WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Our Sustainability Journey
At Griffith Foods, we are committed to driving positive impact through a regenerative mindset. Sustainability is connected to everything we do as a business, and by 2030, we are dedicated to significantly improving the future with a singular sustainable business strategy that we call our 2030 Aspirations. To learn more about Griffith Foods and its current sustainability efforts, visit them online and download the 2023 Sustainability Report.

About Griffith Foods
At Griffith Foods, our purpose defines who we are, what we do, and why we exist, highlighting what makes us distinct and authentic in the marketplace. We help our partners meet the evolving needs and desires of consumers in ways that respect and sustain the planet. Our care and creativity mean we’ll find the right mix of global reach and local impact to serve the earth and nourish all of us who call it home.

View original content here.

This is what Fifth Third Day is all about! 

Thanks to everyone who came together to serve communities all across our 11-state footprint by packaging and delivering meals to the hungry. 

We wouldn’t be Fifth Third without you, and it’s our privilege to be your community bank.

About Fifth Third
Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies^® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ^® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

CONTACT 
Amanda Nageleisen (Media Relations)
amanda.nageleisen@53.com
Matt Curoe (Investor Relations)
matt.curoe@53.com | 513-534-2345

EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 12, 2025 /3BL/ – Aqua Positive, a pioneer in advancing water sustainability practices, is excited to announce SCS Global Services (SCS) as its preferred third-party verifier for water positive projects. Verification will ensure organizations and communities that are working to achieve water positive status can trust in the accuracy and credibility of their claims.

As global concerns about water scarcity continue to rise, businesses are seeking ways to manage their water usage more efficiently and contribute to water conservation efforts. Achieving Water Positive™ verification – whereby an organization replenishes more water than it consumes – is becoming a key indicator of sustainability leadership. Aqua Positive is at the forefront of this movement, providing expert guidance, project development, and frameworks for organizations to measure and reduce their water footprints.

“We are thrilled to work with SCS Global Services, whose expertise in environmental and sustainability certifications aligns perfectly with our mission to help organizations achieve meaningful water stewardship,” said, Esther Gonzalez at Aqua Positive. “Their trusted verification process will add an additional layer of confidence for businesses and organizations working to make a real difference in addressing water scarcity.”

Driven by rising global water stress, businesses across high-impact sectors including agriculture, food and beverage, technology, manufacturing, and hospitality are seeking to be water positive. Water replenishment, conservation, and quality improvement projects help companies reduce operational risk, meet stakeholder expectations, and demonstrate leadership in sustainable water management.

SCS’ Water Positive Verification Program evaluates water stewardship projects using the Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) 2.0 methodology developed by the World Resources Institute. This globally recognized framework enables companies to quantify and verify the benefits of projects such as water efficiency, reuse, replenishment, and ecosystem restoration. These efforts help mitigate water-related risks while enhancing corporate ESG performance.

“Companies are making bold water sustainability commitments, and independent verification is a critical tool for turning those commitments into trusted, measurable results” said Lauren Enright, Program Manager of Water Services at SCS. “By working with Aqua Positive to verify their projects, we’re helping organizations credibly communicate their impact and make real contributions to community resilience and watershed health.”

Eligible projects include:

• Water Savings
• Water Recycling, Reuse, and Augmentation
• Water Purification
• Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems 
• Investment in Water Infrastructure
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Education and Awareness
• Groundwater Management
• Water Compensation
• Protection of Water Sources, Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems, and Sustainable Urban Planning

Successfully verified projects receive an official Water Positive™ Verification Report and verification label from SCS Global Services, which clients can use to support ESG and CSR reporting, CDP disclosures, and demonstrate contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Aqua Positive also offers pre-project simulations powered by algorithms that have been third-party verified by SCS, ensuring that projected outcomes are both high-impact and aligned with science-based methodologies from the outset. These algorithms not only structure projects for alignment with the SDGs, but also identify which goals are impacted and quantify the percentage contribution to each. This enables transparent reporting and credible claims, helping organizations avoid overstatements and ensure accountability in their sustainability communications.

To learn more about Water Positive™ Verification services, visit www.scsglobalservices.com/services/water-positive-verification-for-water-stewardship-actions.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, and standards development, currently celebrating its 40th year of services. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a California-chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

About Aqua Positive

Aqua Positive is a water benefit project development and advisory firm dedicated to identifying, developing, and implementing high level projects that drive water positive strategies. Aqua Positive empowers water benefit providers and organizations to enhance, restore, and regenerate water resources. Operating on every continent, Aqua Positive creates science-driven positive impact in water stressed regions and places water at the core of sustainability strategies. Our work spans nature-based solutions merged with cutting-edge water purification technologies, the latest policy development, and innovative business strategies. For more information, visit www.AquaPositive.com.

Media Contact:
Shyama Devarajan
Senior Marketing Manager
SCS Global Services
sdevarajan@scsglobalservices.com

For decades, owning your own energy infrastructure was a point of pride. It meant independence, control and long-term value. But in today’s world of tight capital, rising utility risk and increasing operational complexity, that logic is unraveling fast.

The truth? Energy infrastructure is no longer a smart asset. It’s a distraction. A cost center. A growing liability.

If you’re still spending capital to install boilers, chillers, generators or rooftop solar panels, you’re missing a transformational shift in how energy is delivered and financed. The new model isn’t about owning equipment—it’s about outsourcing outcomes.

Enter Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS): a smarter, faster, capital-light way to modernize your energy systems without tying up budget or resources. Instead of building, owning and maintaining energy infrastructure yourself, you partner with a private provider who does it all for you—and pays for it, too.

Let’s break down how it works, why it’s gaining traction and what’s at stake if you stick with business as usual.

The Problem: Legacy Energy Infrastructure Is Sinking Budgets

Across the board—from hospitals to manufacturers to data centers—organizations are burdened by outdated, inefficient and expensive energy systems.

Maybe it’s an aging steam plant guzzling fuel. Or backup generators that haven’t been tested in years. Or utility bills that fluctuate wildly from month to month. The equipment might still run—but it’s draining your capital, your staff and your ability to move forward.

Here’s what’s driving the urgency to rethink ownership:

1. Capital Is Tight: Every dollar spent on infrastructure is a dollar not spent on your core mission—whether that’s expanding patient care, building new research labs or investing in production capacity. With budgets under constant scrutiny, large capital outlays for energy upgrades are often delayed or denied.
2. In-House Expertise Is Stretched Thin: Maintaining a complex energy system requires skilled technicians, engineers and facility managers. But with labor shortages and retirements hitting hard, many organizations are struggling just to keep up with daily operations—let alone plan for modernization.
3. Energy Costs Are Rising: Many organizations are turning to EaaS to reduce long-term operating costs and improve energy efficiency. Whether it’s minimizing fuel spend, avoiding utility rate spikes or lowering maintenance expenses, EaaS offers a path to meaningful savings—without large upfront investment.
4. Reliability Risks Are Growing: Grid instability. Extreme weather. Cyber threats. Energy reliability is no longer a guarantee. Yet the cost of downtime—from lost revenue to safety risks—is rising fast. Aging backup systems and deferred maintenance are a dangerous combination.

Put simply: the traditional model of owning and operating your own energy infrastructure is no longer aligned with business reality.

The EaaS Alternative: Pay for Performance, Not Equipment

Energy-as-a-Service turns the old model on its head.

Instead of buying, installing and managing your own infrastructure, you partner with a private provider who delivers energy as a managed service. They design, finance, build, own, operate and maintain the system—while you pay a predictable monthly fee tied to performance.

You get the energy outcomes you need—power, heating, cooling, resilience, cost savings and even decarbonization—without taking on the upfront cost or long-term risk of ownership.

How It Works

Step 1: Assessment: The EaaS provider evaluates your current energy systems, load profiles, risks, and long-term operational goals.

Step 2: Custom Design + Financing: They design a solution (often including microgrids, combined heat and power, renewables, or high-efficiency equipment) and fund the project with private capital—no CapEx required from you.

Step 3: Implementation, Operations & Maintenance: The provider installs the system and takes full responsibility for day-to-day operations, monitoring, and maintenance. You offload the burden of operation and maitenancy entirely—freeing up your staff while ensuring performance.

Step 4: Monthly Service Fee: You pay a service fee, typically structured around energy usage, avoided utility costs, or service-level benchmarks like uptime, emissions reduction, or reliability. The fee includes ongoing operations and maintenance, so you’re never stuck footing the bill for unexpected repairs or performance shortfalls.

The result? You gain access to modern, resilient, efficient energy systems—without the hassle, risk, or capital burden.

Why EaaS Is Gaining Ground Across Industries

Forward-looking organizations are embracing EaaS to get out of the energy infrastructure business—and focus their time, talent and capital where it matters most. Here’s why:

1. No Upfront Capital Required: This is the biggest game-changer. With EaaS, you can implement multimillion-dollar upgrades without touching your CapEx budget. That means no internal battles for funding, no debt on your balance sheet and no delays while you wait for budget cycles.
2. Shift Risk to a Private Partner: Under EaaS, the provider assumes the risks tied to system design, performance and maintenance. If the generator fails or the savings don’t materialize, it’s their problem—not yours. That’s a radical shift in accountability.
3. Lower Long-Term Energy Costs: Energy-as-a-Service can significantly reduce your operating expenses. From increased efficiency to smarter controls to optimized fuel strategies, the savings add up quickly—without tying up internal staff or capital.
4. Resilience Without the Burden: Whether you’re in healthcare, manufacturing or data, downtime is unacceptable. EaaS makes it possible to deploy backup systems like battery storage or dual-fuel generators—without owning or maintaining them yourself. You get guaranteed uptime, with service-level agreements to back it up.
5. Built-In Modernization: Technology is evolving fast. From AI-driven controls to EV infrastructure to smart microgrids, energy systems are becoming more complex. EaaS ensures your systems stay current over the life of the contract, with upgrades and preventive maintenance often included.

Who’s Using EaaS Today?

EaaS is gaining adoption in capital-intensive, mission-critical sectors where energy reliability and cost certainty matter most:

Hospitals and Healthcare Systems: Offload the complexity of backup power, heating and cooling—while staying compliant with life safety codes and reducing operational costs.

Universities and Campuses: Replace aging steam plants and inefficient infrastructure with right-sized systems that reduce operating expenses and support long-term sustainability goals.

Industrial Manufacturers: Improve energy efficiency, reduce costs and increase uptime—without adding risk to the balance sheet.

Data Centers: Enhance reliability and resilience while managing energy costs with predictable pricing and SLAs.

Municipalities: Upgrade essential infrastructure without new taxes, bonds, or debt—while delivering community-facing sustainability and economic benefits.

What to Look for in an EaaS Partner

Like any long-term service relationship, success depends on the right partner. Look for:

Proven Track Record: Experience across multiple technologies, asset classes and industries—not just a solar installer rebranding as EaaS.

Financial Strength: The ability to fund multimillion-dollar projects and remain stable through economic cycles.

Operational Expertise: Deep bench strength in engineering, controls and facility operations and maintenance—not just development and design.

Transparent Performance Guarantees: Contracts that tie payments to measurable, auditable outcomes—not vague service levels.

Flexible Structures: EaaS models can take many forms—make sure the provider tailors the contract to your goals, whether that’s cost savings, decarbonization or resilience.

The Bottom Line: Own Results, Not Equipment

In today’s economy, the most strategic organizations aren’t doubling down on energy infrastructure. They’re stepping back—and letting private partners deliver the outcomes they need.

They’re getting out of the ownership game. Freeing up capital. Reducing risk. Improving efficiency. And doing it all without sacrificing performance or control.

That’s the power of Energy-as-a-Service.

If your facilities team is bogged down with repairs, your CapEx is frozen and your energy costs are outpacing your budget, it’s time to stop buying equipment and start buying results.

The future of energy isn’t about what you own. It’s about what you achieve.

Key Points

• In less than three years, a $350,000 grant from Marathon Petroleum is already making a major impact on educators in St. John the Baptist Parish.
• Launched in 2022 as part of a workforce development initiative, the program set out to help more than 100 teachers earn full certification and advance their careers.
• One of those teachers not only earned full certification but went on to receive the district’s top honor for the 2024-2025 school year.

Marathon Petroleum’s commitment to St. John the Baptist Parish is already making a big impact for teachers in less three years since a major investment was made. In 2022, the company’s Garyville refinery provided St. John the Baptist Parish Public School’s (SJBP) with a $350,000 workforce development grant to help non-certified educators in the parish earn their full certification.

That investment, which set out to cover the full cost for approximately 120 teachers, helped remove a major financial barrier for those looking to grow professionally, boost their pay and build stronger classrooms.

Teachers like Diashiki Snyder-Brown, who says the grant, along with a strong desire to achieve her dreams, helped turn a leap of faith into a thriving career.

“I love it,” Snyder-Brown said. “This is the first time I feel like I wake up ready to go to work every day.”

Snyder-Brown left her job in business to pursue a longtime dream of becoming a teacher. In August 2022, she was just beginning the certification process. Even then, her passion was clear.

“I show up every day and give it my all,” she said. “I focus on what matters, teaching one student at a time, one class at a time and doing what I can to make a difference.”

Snyder-Brown is now a fully certified teacher at East St. John Preparatory Academy, where she teaches 7th grade math. She was recently named the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year in St. John the Baptist Parish, the district’s top honor.

For the district’s leadership, this kind of impact is exactly what the program was meant to spark.

“With partners like Marathon coming together to do what truly makes a difference, the impact has been invaluable,” said Dr. Kimberly Gales-Johnson, Chief of Staff for the school district. “This is an investment in our teachers, our students and our entire school system, and one that will benefit us for years to come.”

Dr. Jaimee Williams, the district’s Chief of Academics, agrees, especially as the program also opens doors for paraprofessionals and support staff to earn associate degrees and grow into teaching roles of their own.

“Supporting their career growth benefits them and our students. It’s a win-win,” Williams said. “When staff feel invested in, student performance rises too.”

According to Gales-Johnson, one of the biggest challenges to certification is cost. Without support, many educators simply don’t or can’t pursue it.

“That’s why this matters so much,” Gales-Johnson said. “Certified teachers are more likely to stay in the profession and stay right here in St. John Parish. This is a life-changing investment on many levels.”

The workforce development program builds on the Garyville refinery’s continued support for education in the parish, especially after Hurricane Ida in 2021, as part of a larger effort to help the community rebuild.

Snyder-Brown hopes her story encourages others to take a similar leap.

“During the pandemic, I felt lost and unsure of what I wanted to do,” she said. “This program and Marathon’s support gave me the push I needed. Less than three years later, I’m Teacher of the Year. It’s an incredible feeling, and I’m excited for what the future holds.”

Joining Snyder-Brown are nine other educators who’ve become fully certified during the 2024–2025 school year alone, with more than 40 others currently enrolled in the scholarship-like program, a number the district hopes will continue to grow.

 

By Mel Campbell

Achieving great things is something to be honored. But what about the people who were the driving forces behind that success? What about the people who inspired someone to strive for something more?

Honoring these inspirational people is at the heart of the Regions Riding Forward^® Scholarship Contest.

With the announcement of winners for the fourth quarter of 2024, Regions completed its selection of four winners of the Regions Riding Forward^® Scholarship Contest for each quarter of 2024. Each of these winning students receive a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to their designated accredited college.

In 2024, Regions revamped the scholarship contest to provide more opportunities for students to apply. The contest invites eligible high school and college students to submit a video essay or traditional written essay on someone they know in their community who has inspired them and helped them build the confidence to achieve their goals.

• Like the 2024 Contest, the 2025 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest consists of four (4) separate quarterly contests.
• For each quarterly contest, eligible entries are grouped according to form of entry (written essay or video essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges.
• A total of four (4) quarterly contest scholarship prizes are awarded in each quarterly contest, consisting of two (2) prizes for the written essay group and two (2) prizes for the video essay group.
• Regions promotes the scholarship contest throughout the year and students may submit an entry in each quarterly contest.

Fourth quarter 2024 Contest winners and the individuals they highlighted in their award-winning submissions include (follow links to read/watch their submissions):

• Lacey Aho, Campobello, S.C., who detailed her journey and experiences having Type 1 diabetes and the nurse, Annie, who encouraged and inspired her. Annie’s example of personal connection and writing to her and each patient she helps inspired Aho. “Her example of patience, perseverance and joy will propel me as I pursue my degree,” Aho said.
• Lauren Jenkins, Columbus, Ga., honored Judge Moore who has inspired her to continue on the path to study and practice law, eventually to become a civil rights lawyer. She said Judge Moore showed her that not only could she succeed but, noting the lack of female and African American judges, also help pave the way for others.
• Jacquelyn Regan, Wake Forest, N.C., who shared the impact that her AP English teacher, Ms. Tekotte, has had one her. While her interest and future plans are to be a genetic researcher, Regan found an unexpected – but much needed – positive influence and someone who helped kindle a passion for connecting to others and communicating.
• Ecaterina Sur, Austin, Tex., who highlighted her Advanced Algebra II teacher, Mrs. Weissmiller, calling her “the most positive person I have ever met.” She pointed out how her teacher engaged her and her classmates and built a positive environment for everyone to achieve. It was her supportiveness and encouragement that helped convince Sur to pursue a college major in math.

To learn more about the Riding Forward Scholarship, visit www.regions.com/ridingforward.

See full contest rules for complete details, including eligibility and written essay and video essay requirements.

See a list of previous winners and their winning submissions on Doing More Today.

If you know of a young person – in college or headed that way – please share this information with them and with the guidance counselor at their school.

The Regions Riding Forward Scholarship contest has awarded over $1.4 million in educational assistance to more than 400 students over the past 12 years.

Published by Action Against Hunger.

There are 733 million people facing hunger in the world right now. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, several trillion dollars will be required to end hunger worldwide. Failing to properly fund efforts by 2030 means “millions of people will still be undernourished, millions will have been pushed into crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity, and insufficient progress will have been made to meet all global nutrition targets.” Worse, the consequences of delaying the fight against hunger increase the costs of doing so later because situations that lead to hunger will have worsened. According to the Action Against Hunger 2024 Hunger Funding Gap Report, countries dealing with “crisis” hunger levels received only 35% of hunger-related funding requested in 2023 — far too little to rehabilitate malnutrition-inducing contexts.

The funding gap for addressing world hunger is worsening. The recent dismantling of USAID, the world’s largest source of humanitarian funding, has impacted one-third of Action Against Hunger’s programs and damaged humanitarian infrastructures at large. Significant, sustained effort is essential for addressing the multitude of factors that lead to hunger, and global funding cuts threaten to set back years of progress made.

With two-thirds of the world’s children currently suffering from malnutrition, and a child dying from hunger every 15 seconds, the destruction of USAID and budget cuts for humanitarian organizations can incite a feeling of hopelessness. However, Charles Owubah, CEO of Action Against Hunger, encourages a spirit of resilience. “Imagine if we didn’t just lament disappearing aid budgets that were always too meager to begin with and instead focus on how we can deliver the promise of zero hunger for all,” he says. “When budgets and hearts seem to be getting smaller, big goals can enlarge us all.” In the face of budget cuts, Action Against Hunger is focusing on what we can accomplish.

Action Against Hunger is continuing to lead the charge in fighting hunger around the world by maximizing the power of every dollar of funding. Ninety cents of every dollar donated to Action Against Hunger goes directly to programs, and we ensure our programs yield significantly greater returns on investment by integrating long-term solutions that communities can sustain without additional external aid. Our streamlined approach enables us to create massive impact despite limited resources, and each investment creates ripple effects of change: from one child’s life, to a community’s wellbeing, to regional food systems and beyond. With just $1 million or less, here are ten examples of things Action Against Hunger can accomplish.

1. Replenish Therapeutic Milk Supply in Somalia – $10,000

In Somalia, Action Against Hunger’s current supply of—a therapeutic milk formula essential for treating severely malnourished children—will soon run out due to supply chain disruptions caused by USAID funding cuts. Just $10,000 could fund a full month’s supply of this lifesaving treatment and care for thousands of children in crisis-affected regions. In addition to immediately saving lives, the investment would be devoted to developing local production capacity for these essential treatments, reducing future dependency on external aid.

2. Advance Rice Farming Innovation in South Sudan – $50,000

In South Sudan’s Aweil region, our rice farming program has grown from 100 farmers in 2021 to 500 in 2024, creating a promising foundation for food security in a country where 54% of the population faces acute hunger. An investment of $50,000 takes this successful initiative to the next level by providing six essential rice milling machines, high-quality seeds, and advanced farmer training. This transforms the local food system, enabling complete processing from farm to market and adding substantial value to locally grown rice. The program specifically includes women farmers, challenging traditional gender roles. Action Against Hunger’s work in South Sudan creates economic opportunities beyond subsistence farming, establishing local food production systems that will continue generating income and nutritional health for years without external support.

3. Support School Nutrition Programs in Tanzania – $60,000

In Tanzania, where the teenage pregnancy rate is 22% and child mortality remains high, $60,000 supports comprehensive school meal programs in Early Childhood Development centers that meets nutritional needs and boosts school attendance. Action Against Hunger supplies fortified meals to immediately improve kids’ nutrition while at school, and we introduce energy-efficient cooking methods and water harvesting systems so more food can be provided with less resources. Teachers are trained in nutrition education, and school gardens are established for ongoing food production. This holistic, sustainable approach boosts academic outcomes, increases school attendance — especially for girls — and establishes nutritional practices that children carry home to their families, creating intergenerational change.

4. Activate a Mobile Health Unit in Haiti – $70,000

In remote, conflict-affected areas of Haiti, Action Against Hunger’s mobile units deliver critical healthcare where no other aid organizations go. Government support is diminishing in these volatile regions, but with a mere $70,000, Action Against Hunger can fund a complete Mobile Health Unit that brings malnutrition treatment, healthcare, immunizations, and maternity care to isolated communities. Beyond providing immediate medical intervention, these units establish community-based health education programs that equip local residents with knowledge and skills to prevent malnutrition and disease. This dual approach saves lives and creates lasting change in areas that would otherwise be abandoned.

5. Provide Emergency Water Access for Drought-Stricken Communities in Kenya – $75,000

In Kenya’s most water-stressed regions, 41 of 67 boreholes require urgent rehabilitation after the withdrawal of USAID-funded water programs. With $75,000, we can repair nine critical non-functional boreholes in areas where communities are now forced to trek over a mile for water. This intervention restores access for thousands of people and their livestock, addresses immediate water needs, and strengthens community water management systems. Additionally, it prevents waterborne diseases that exacerbate malnutrition and reduces the burden on women and children who spend hours daily collecting water. As climate change intensifies drought conditions, water access support provides a lifeline to communities at the frontline of this crisis.

6. Engage in Emergency Response for Crisis Refugees Entering South Sudan – $100,000

South Sudan is facing an influx of refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan, straining already limited resources in a country where 54% of the population experiences acute food insecurity. It takes $100,000 to providing comprehensive emergency response to displaced families, including emergency shelter for 500 households, food assistance for 1,500 individuals, malnutrition treatment for 500 children, and essential health services for 2,000 people. With this program, urgent humanitarian needs are addressed, and protection services and psychosocial support offer long-term benefits for the community. Together, we can ensure that families fleeing violence don’t face a second crisis of hunger and disease in their place of refuge.

7. Transform Healthcare in Somalia with Solar-Power- $150,000

In Somalia’s remote regions, health facilities lack reliable electricity for essential medical equipment, vaccine refrigeration, and basic lighting. A $150,000 investment is all it takes for Action Against Hunger to transform healthcare delivery through solarization of critical facilities, providing consistent power to clinics, maternity wards, and nutrition centers in areas with frequent or total power outages. This sustainable solution eliminates dependency on expensive, unreliable diesel generators while ensuring continuous service delivery for malnutrition treatment, maternal care, and essential health services. By harnessing Somalia’s abundant sunshine, this intervention creates environmentally sustainable healthcare infrastructure that will serve communities for decades with minimal ongoing costs.

8. Manage a Sudan Emergency and Recovery Program – $350,000

Sudan is facing a catastrophic famine, and 25 million people are experiencing acute hunger following the withdrawal of USAID support. Since civil war erupted in 2023, Action Against Hunger has provided critical assistance to over 1.1 million people. It takes $350,000 to sustain these essential interventions—food assistance, nutrition support, clean water, and protection measures—for communities facing imminent starvation. Additionally, Action Against Hunger introduces climate-smart agriculture techniques and economic empowerment initiatives, creating sustainable food systems that can withstand future crises and address the root causes of hunger to prevent it from happening again.

9. Strengthen a Climate Adaptability Program in Zambia – $500,000

In Zambia, climate change is devastating agricultural communities, with increasingly frequent droughts threatening food security for millions. With $500,000, Action Against Hunger could immediately enroll 1,250 vulnerable households in drought relief and nutrition support programs at a critical moment when international aid has been dramatically reduced. More importantly, it implements our comprehensive 10-year program that strengthens climate-smart agriculture through drought-resistant, nutritious, high-value cowpea crops. Farmers participating in this innovative program have already tripled their incomes, creating generational resilience against climate change. This approach creates sustainable food security in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions where 2 million people are facing crisis levels of hunger.

10. Research and Distribute Breakthrough RUTF – $1,000,000 

Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) is the gold standard for treating severe acute malnutrition with over a 90% success rate. However, current formulas are expensive to produce and heavily dependent on imported ingredients, limiting access for millions of children who need treatment. At a critical moment when traditional funding sources have been cut, groundbreaking research that cuts costs of RUTF is essential for increasing the number of children we can save despite having fewer resources. This pioneering initiative will revolutionize hunger treatment by developing a plant-based therapeutic food formula that reduces costs by 25% while enabling local production in the Global South. Beyond saving lives today, this intervention catalyzes systemic change that will help millions more children receive life-saving treatment for years to come. The economic impact is equally remarkable—every $1 invested in novel RUTF research generates an estimated $18 in return through reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, and strengthened local economies. This transformational approach doesn’t just treat hunger; it reimagines how we fight it, creating sustainable solutions that advance our mission of ending hunger for good.

Equipped to Adapt, Ready to Act

Action Against Hunger has 45 years of experience in saving lives to revolutionizing the fight against hunger, so we have a solid foundation to operate from as we navigate this new humanitarian context. With a streamlined financial structure, proven by 17 years of receiving the highest Charity Navigator ranking in terms of accountability and transparency, we are equipped to make sound financial decisions that maximize our programmatic impact despite facing limited resources. Challenging circumstances cannot alter our key priorities: saving lives today through rescue and response, building resilience with sustainable solutions, and strengthening the future of food with research and innovation.

There is no denying that there are enormous obstacles to overcome in the fight against hunger, but Action Against Hunger is determined to do whatever it takes to accomplish our mission of ending hunger for all. Our position remains strong, our mission unwavering, and our determination to save lives greater than ever. Together, we can sustain crucial programs while we build upon our sustainable and diverse funding model, building resilient communities that will thrive tomorrow.

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Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Verizon

Greg Pardo knew he was ready for a change when he saw a job posting for a Verizon Innovative Learning Lab STEAM Specialist in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He’d worked for 23 years at the same level in a nearby school system — as a computer science teacher, a STEM interventionist and other roles — yet was unable to work his way into administration.

“Always trying to move up, but never quite making it,” says Pardo. “It was frustrating.”

In the three years since he took that role as a STEAM Specialist at McKinley Community School in New Brunswick, he’s advanced to Supervisor of Instructional Technology for the New Brunswick School System. What helped him move up so quickly? Decades of tech education experience, natural people skills and professional training from Verizon Innovative Learning.

Pardo loves science and engineering even though he didn’t grow up in a particularly tech-savvy home. “We had one TV in my house,” he recalls with a smile. “The channel knob broke off at one point and my father fixed a vise grip to the knob. We had no remote. I was the remote.”

His grandfather, however, was intrigued by cutting edge technology, and bought a personal computer when it was still a novelty. Pardo loved programming it and playing video games. Those early lessons in coding grew into a lifelong fascination with the way machines, robots and computers work.

Today’s kids grow up in a different world. Corded telephones and cassette players have been replaced by hand-held computers. Most students have instant access to knowledge and can create otherworldly illustrations with a few screen taps. The traditional, teacher-centric classroom doesn’t click with this new generation of self-taught learners.

“They want to create their own knowledge. They want to create their information. They want to create their own learning,” says Pardo.

During his years as a STEM educator, Pardo began experimenting with student-led classrooms. Verizon Innovative Learning’s professional development sessions helped supercharge that skillset.

“Working with Verizon Innovative Learning improved my confidence as an administrator, giving me the tools really to understand how we utilize technology in a classroom setting,” says Pardo.

In the Verizon program, students complete lessons that foster problem-solving abilities. “Students are working together and the teacher is a guide on the side,” explains Pardo. “That allows the kids to collaborate, communicate, be creative and think critically. That interaction happens more organically when lessons are project-based or problem-based.”

Discussions about technology regularly extend into real-world applications. An architectural build stirs up interest in the engineering required to keep a bridge structurally secure. A virtual reality tour of Egyptian pyramids offers students — many who rarely leave New Brunswick — a chance to travel halfway around the world. Programming a rolling robot develops into questions about a career building lunar rovers.

Now, in his role as District Supervisor of Instructional Technology, Pardo shares wisdom about student-centered learning with educators throughout the New Brunswick school system, often suggesting changes in classroom methodology.

“So many of our teachers are teaching the way they were taught,” says Pardo, referring to the traditional “chalk and talk” classroom style that has been the standard for centuries. “They have a hard time letting go of that. My role has been to come in and have them release the reins a little bit.” That shift encourages the student to get more involved and increases student engagement.

Anthony Mwangi, New Brunswick Middle School Robotics teacher and Verizon Innovative Learning Lab Mentor, says Pardo has changed the way he teaches. “Mr. Pardo encourages teachers not to give students the answers, but help them work to find the solutions themselves,” says Mwangi.

Developing students’ science and engineering education isn’t always about introducing more technology in classwork, notes Pardo. The educators must utilize the most impactful elements, “supporting the students in their learning and pushing them to meet their fullest potential.”

Verizon Innovative Learning is a key part of the company’s responsible business plan to help move the world forward for all. As part of the plan, Verizon has an ambitious goal of providing 10 million youth with digital skills training by 2030. Educators can access free lessons, professional development, and immersive learning experiences to help bring new ways of learning into the classroom by visiting Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

“Working with Verizon Innovative Learning improved my confidence as an administrator, giving me the tools really to understand how we utilize technology in a classroom setting,”

Greg Pardo, District Supervisor of Instructional Technology for the New Brunswick School System