The Wawa Foundation said it awarded 33 Fly Beyond Key Issue Grants, totaling $1.5 million, aimed at providing youth with increased access to more nutritious meal and snack options through school or community-based programs, according to a press release.

“Fly Beyond Key Issue Grants typically range between $5,000 and $250,000 and have been awarded to qualified partners with new or existing programs that are aligned with this goal. This year in total, The Wawa Foundation is awarding $1.5 million in Fly Beyond Key Issue Grants to these food bank partners,” Wawa said.

The Wawa Foundation said it reviewed proposals and awarded grants based on Fly Beyond criteria and goals, program reach and impact, and the size of the Wawa market served.

This year’s Fly Beyond Key Issue Grant recipients support communities in 12 states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. In 2024, Fly Beyond Key Issue Grant recipients went on to serve more than 7 million meals across their communities.

“The Fly Beyond Key Issue Grant initiative reflects our continuing effort to fight food insecurity, particularly among youth in our communities, by ensuring consistent access to healthy and nutritious foods,” said Liz Simeone, president of The Wawa Foundation. “This year, we’re proud to support more food banks than ever before as we remain committed to building strong relationships with communities in Wawa’s existing and new markets, such as the Midwest. Through these partnerships, we aim to help more youth thrive through better nutrition.”

In other recent Wawa news, earlier this month Wawa reportedly started its “largest expansion” ever, according to Delco Today. “A $300 million expansion in the next few years is planned in central Pennsylvania,” wrote the outlet.

Delco Today reported that Wawa is planning to open new stores in Indiana and Ohio, among other states, with a five-year plan for 700 additional locations.

John Poplawski, Wawa’s vice president of real estate, said it will be the largest five-year period of expansion in Wawa’s history.