Overview - Forbes 30 Under 30 Social Impact 2026 highlights young founders and changemakers addressing global challenges [1] Key Areas of Focus - The report focuses on social impact entrepreneurs in healthcare, AI, and sustainability [1] - Key challenges being tackled include food insecurity, reproductive health, and the climate crisis [1]

Group 1: Company Initiatives - Sysco Corporation's Purpose Month in November 2025 saw nearly 10,000 colleagues volunteer daily, marking the most successful year yet for the initiative [1] - The program involved participation from 339 sites across 9 countries, impacting over 1,700 individual charities to address global food insecurity [1][2] - Sysco's Purpose Month began in Canada in November 2022, aimed at combating hunger and increasing volunteer efforts, leading to a global expansion in 2023 [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Sysco is the global leader in foodservice distribution, operating 339 distribution centers in 10 countries and employing 75,000 colleagues [4] - The company generated sales exceeding $81 billion in fiscal year 2025, which ended on June 28, 2025 [4] - Sysco provides customized supply chain solutions and culinary support to help customers innovate and optimize their operations [5]

National Security & Law Enforcement - Two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically injured in a targeted shooting near the White House [1][2][3] - The suspect, Ramanula Lakenwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, is in custody and in grave condition after being shot multiple times [1][44] - The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is leading the investigation, considering a potential terrorist motive [7][8][45] - The suspect entered the United States in September 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, a program for Afghan refugees [9][45] - US Citizenship and Immigration Services has indefinitely stopped processing immigration requests related to Afghan nationals [45] Political & Economic Landscape - 64% of Americans disapprove of Donald Trump's handling of the economy, with 65% saying his policies are increasing grocery prices [19][20] - US consumer confidence slid in November by the most in 7 months due to growing anxiety about the labor market and the economy [20] - The index of consumer sentiment is at its lowest in 40 years, lower than during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2008 financial crisis, and the 1987 stock market crash [20][21] Healthcare & Social Welfare - 51% of Americans disapprove of Donald Trump's handling of healthcare, and 69% believe healthcare affordability should be a top priority [22] - House Republicans are divided over extending Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies, with some opposing it [24][25] - Without the extension of Obamacare tax credits, 4 million people could lose their health insurance [30] - The Trump administration abruptly cut $500 million in deliveries from a program that sends US-produced food to food banks [38] - In fiscal year 2023, about 1% (434,000) of SNAP recipients were refugees, and 3% (1.3 million) were other non-citizens, including lawful permanent residents [38]

Group 1: Company Contributions and Community Impact - VersaBank has donated $50,000 to The Salvation Army's Harvest Hope campaign to combat food insecurity in Canada, particularly in London, Ontario, where the bank is headquartered [1] - The Salvation Army reported distributing over 7 million pounds of food and serving 2.6 million shelter meals in Ontario in 2024, highlighting the growing need for support in the community [1] - Captain Gina Haggett from The Salvation Army emphasized the importance of corporate support in providing essential services to vulnerable populations across Canada [2] Group 2: Economic Context and Urgency - Food bank usage in Canada has doubled since March 2019, with a 5.2% increase in usage reported this year compared to 2024, indicating a worsening food insecurity crisis [1] - The final months of the year are critical for fundraising efforts for The Salvation Army, as many organizations seek to support those in need during this time [4] Group 3: Company Background and Operations - VersaBank operates as a branchless, digital bank in North America, focusing on underserved segments of the banking industry through innovative technology [7] - The bank has launched a Receivable Purchase Program funding solution aimed at point-of-sale finance companies, which has been successful in Canada and is now targeting the U.S. market [7]

Core Insights - Provident Bank and The Provident Bank Foundation have launched a Crisis Response Fund to support nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity amid rising demand [1][2] - The initiative involves a joint investment of $50,000, with $10,000 grants awarded to five nonprofit organizations providing essential food access programs [2][3] - The fund aims to provide immediate assistance to nonprofits in specific counties, helping them meet increased demand for meals and groceries, particularly due to funding gaps from the recent U.S. government shutdown [2][4] Company Overview - Provident Bank, founded in 1839, is the oldest community-focused financial institution in New Jersey, with assets totaling $24.83 billion as of September 30, 2025 [6] - The bank operates over 140 branches across New Jersey and parts of New York and Pennsylvania, offering a range of financial solutions and services [6][8] Nonprofit Support - The Crisis Response Fund will support organizations such as The Salvation Army, Franklin Food Bank, Jewish Family & Children's Service, Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley, and Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation [3][7] - These organizations provide critical services, including meal distribution and food assistance, to vulnerable populations, highlighting the urgent need for support in the community [4][7] Foundation Mission - The Provident Bank Foundation, established in 2003, focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations that foster strong, inclusive communities through grants in Education, Human Services, and Workforce Development [9] - Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $30 million to organizations that drive meaningful community change [9]

Core Points - California American Water is committed to community support through its seasonal initiative, Operation Gobble, aimed at addressing food insecurity in California [1][3] - A donation of $2,500 was presented to the Benito Juarez Foundation to assist families in need during the holiday season [1][3] - The funds will support the Foundation's Emergency Food Program, which provides essential food assistance to farm workers and indigenous communities in the greater Sacramento region [3][4] Company Overview - California American Water is a subsidiary of American Water, providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 750,000 people [6] - American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States, serving over 14 million people across 14 states and 18 military installations [5]

Core Points - Health Net and the Centene Foundation announced a $1.1 million investment to the California Association of Food Banks to combat food insecurity affecting 1 in 5 Californians [1][3] - The grant will enhance food distribution and emergency food response in 12 counties, focusing on rural communities that face challenges in accessing nutritious food [2][4] - The investment aims to improve food delivery systems by funding infrastructure such as refrigerated trucks and cold storage [2][4] Investment Details - The investment will be allocated to 10 local food banks serving the targeted counties, empowering local organizations to meet increasing demand [3][4] - Health Net has committed over $247 million in funding to community-based organizations from 2020 to 2025 [4] Organizational Background - Health Net is a Medi-Cal managed care health plan serving over three million members in California, providing various health services [6][7] - The Centene Foundation focuses on investing in economically challenged communities and addressing social drivers of health [8] - The California Association of Food Banks, formed in 1997, partners with over 42 food banks to fight hunger in California [8]

Being in college is a unique perspective because you know it's midterm season and there's finals coming up and break and it's really frustrating to have to on top of all of those things worry about working 30 hours a week and all the other things I'm doing and then also not know where my next meal is coming from. My name is Emily. I am a fourth year college student at Colorado State University.I'm majoring in nutrition and food science with a minor in chemistry on the premed track. So, my hope is to be a ph ...

Core Points - Duke Energy, with support from the Duke Energy Foundation, has launched its annual campaign to address food insecurities in South Carolina, highlighting the urgent need for assistance as colder weather and the holiday season approach [2][5][8] - The campaign aims to support over 60 feeding programs, providing more than $600,000 in funding, and includes a significant contribution of $100,000 to the One SC Fund to aid food banks across the state [7][8][15] - The initiative is crucial as over 750,000 individuals in South Carolina face hunger, with 1 in 6 being children, emphasizing the importance of community support for local food banks and organizations [4][8] Company Initiatives - Duke Energy has committed over $2.6 million since 2021 to support local agencies addressing food insecurity [7] - The campaign commenced with a volunteer event called Yam Jam, where 50,000 pounds of sweet potatoes were packaged for holiday food boxes [7][9] - Duke Energy Foundation has also contributed $105,000 to FoodShare South Carolina and its partner organizations, demonstrating a strong commitment to community engagement [9] Community Impact - The campaign will culminate in surprise grant announcements on Giving Tuesday, reinforcing the ongoing need for support in local communities [8] - Local organizations, such as Mill Village Farms, are stepping up to fill gaps left by reduced federal support, ensuring food access for residents [9] - Duke Energy aims to raise awareness about the critical work of community partners fighting hunger, encouraging continued support from the public [9]

Government Shutdown Impact on SNAP Benefits - The government shutdown is forcing states to find ways to provide services typically funded by the federal government [1] - Illinois normally receives $90 million per week for SNAP benefits, which are 100% federally funded [2] - Illinois doesn't have the $360 million needed per month to fully cover SNAP benefits during the shutdown [3] - 19 million people in Illinois, representing approximately 146% of the state's 13 million population, receive SNAP benefits [4] Illinois' Response and Limitations - Illinois is using contingency funds, including $20 million set aside for food banks, to partially cover SNAP benefits [1][2] - The $20 million is insufficient to fully address the need, and will primarily support the distribution of dry goods [3][4] - Food pantries may not be able to provide fresh goods due to funding limitations [4] Political Implications - The governor believes Republicans will face consequences for the government shutdown [5][6] - A new NBC News poll indicates that 52% of Americans blame Republicans in Congress and President Trump for the shutdown, compared to 42% who blame Democrats [6] - The governor is engaging in conversations with voters, including those in traditionally Republican areas, who are expressing concerns about the impact of Republican policies [7][8][9] - The governor anticipates that the SNAP benefits issue will particularly resonate in rural areas with high food insecurity [10]