Last Week, Hydro One Inc. (Hydro One) was joined by the non-profit organization, Drop-in at The Bridge, to announce the 28 Indigenous communities, charitable organizations and municipalities that will each receive $25,000 in funding from the Energizing Life Community Fund. For the fifth consecutive year, Hydro One is awarding funds to local initiatives that address community needs across the province.
- Village of Burk’s Falls: For the Rural Youth Group (RYG) Drop-in Centre, which works toward establishing a drug-free, bully-free, and safe space where young people can develop leadership, self-growth, and mental and physical well-being.
Drop-in at The Bridge receives funding from Hydro One’s 2025 Energizing Life Community Fund.
(left to right) Drop-in at The Bridge volunteer, Andrea Purdon, Drop-in founder and executive director, Wes Larson, Hydro One’s Bronwen Evans and Kincardine’s Mayor Kenneth Craig.
Since 2018, Drop-in at The Bridge in Kincardine has strengthened community ties, especially among those who feel marginalized, isolated, or vulnerable, while ensuring access to healthy foods and meaningful support. Now providing almost 16,000 nutritious meals a year to community members, Drop-in at The Bridge plans to expand programs like the Monday Drop-in, Mosaic Nights, Frozen Meal Delivery and Thursday Teen Lunch to reach even more people in their community with funds from Hydro One.
“Drop-in at The Bridge creates a safe, welcoming space in which all people are encouraged to participate fully, to the best of their abilities,” said Wes Larson, Founder and Executive Director, Drop-in at The Bridge. “A challenge for many who come to Drop-in is the absence of family ties. We seek to offer support, community and a variety of programs to help individuals through challenging times. Thanks to the generosity of Hydro One we will be able to provide increased access to food, flexible support for families, and opportunities for community connection and learning.”
“It’s inspiring to see local organizations like Drop-in at the Bridge improve people’s wellbeing by fostering meaningful connections and providing essential resources,” said Bronwen Evans, Vice President, Sustainability, Communications and Marketing, Hydro One. “Our 2025 recipients are powerful agents of local change, and we are excited to partner with them through our Energizing Life Community Fund. Congratulations to all the recipients and thank you for your dedication to building a better and brighter future.”
Examples of the important work that the 2025 Energizing Life Community Fund supports include fire safety education an innovative program for individuals with developmental disabilities to develop culinary skills, environmental conservation programs for youth, and revitalizing an old trail system with deep Indigenous cultural significance.
The following organizations and communities were selected to receive $25,000 each from the Energizing Life Community Fund:
- Animakee Wa Zhing #37
- Mishkosiminiziibiing (Big Grassy River First Nation)
- Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay First Nation)
- Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
- City of Dryden
- City of Thorold
- Clean Up Barrie
- Community Living Walkerton & District
- District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board
- Drop-in at the Bridge
- Eelŭnaapéewi Lahkéewiit (Delaware Nation)
- Friends of Swan Lake Park
- Friends of Wye Marsh
- Grey Sauble Conservation Authority
- Gull Bay First Nation
- Hamilton Paramedic Service
- Municipality of Bluewater
- Municipality of Clarington
- Municipality of Port Hope
- Nipissing First Nation
- Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre
- The Table Community Food Centre
- Town of Essex
- Township of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands
- Township of O’Connor
- Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor Inc.
- Village of Burk’s Falls
- Wiikwemkoong First Nation
Hydro One directs a minimum of 20 per cent of its corporate donations and sponsorships to support Indigenous communities and initiatives that serve them. Reflecting this commitment, approximately 28 per cent of the 2025 Energizing Life Community Fund grants will benefit Indigenous communities and organizations.
To learn more about the Energizing Life Community Fund, visit Energizing Life – Community Grants for Ontario Non-Profits | Hydro One.
