Megawatts to mega meals: Byron nuclear employees donate more than $35,000 to local food pantries

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Employees of the Byron Exelon Nuclear Plant col-lected and donated more than $35,000 to local food pantries.

Fundraisers and corporate match program help families in need during pandemic

Employees at Exelon Generation’s Byron Generating Station recently set a goal to raise $25,000 for local food pantries to help families affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The nuclear plant’s workers eclipsed that goal, raising more than $35,000 for nearly two-dozen area food banks. Approximately half of the amount raised went to Northern Illinois Food Bank.

“Our essential workforce continues to safely generate carbon-free electricity for the region. But after seeing local job losses and a weakening economy, our employees wanted to do something positive for the region and beyond,” said Mark Kanavos, site vice president at Byron Generating Station.

“We all know someone affected in some way by the coronavirus pandemic. Helping to fill food pantry shelves is just one way we can assist in this time of need.”

Byron Station’s employee resource groups (ERGs) also contributed funds from their respective committees, each of which has a specific focus area like military charity support, nuclear power education and employee goodwill.

“In these challenging days the donations received by Bread of Life Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen in Stillman Valley are making it possible to feed our neighbors in need,” said Bread of Life board member Alicia Lindholtz. “Exelon Generation has shown itself once again to be generous and community minded. We are very grateful for their support.”

Byron Generating Station employees donated to the following food banks/pantries:

Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, Belvidere-Boone County Food Pantry, Bread of Life of Stillman Valley, Community Food Pantry of Dixon, Echo Food Bank of Janesville (Wis.), Feeding America, Freeport Area Church Cooperative, Lifeline & Self Help of Oregon, New Life Community Center of Forreston, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Pecatonica Community Food Pantry, People Helping People of Byron, Rochelle Christian Food Pantry, Rock River Food Pantry, Rockford Rescue Mission, Sauk Valley Food Bank, Sycamore Food Pantry, Sycamore United Methodist Food, and Walworth (Wis.) County Food Pantry.

Byron Generating Station is in Ogle County, Ill., about 20 miles southwest of Rockford. With both units at full power, the site produces almost 2,500 megawatts, enough electricity to power more than 2 million average American homes.