Operation Pathways has secured a 2026 Thome Aging Well Grant to launch its Strengthening Food Access for Older Adults initiative in Baltimore, Maryland. The organization is among 24 nonprofit groups in Maryland and Michigan collectively receiving $3.8 million to help lower-income older adults remain safely and independently in their homes while aging with dignity.

A subsidiary of The NHP Foundation, Operation Pathways delivers on-site resident services at 33 affordable housing communities across 10 states and the District of Columbia. Its programs are designed to support seniors, families, and individuals in achieving greater stability, health, and long-term well-being.

For older residents, these on-site services play a vital role in helping them age in place by reducing social isolation, strengthening housing stability, and connecting them with essential resources. In Maryland alone, more than 45,000 older adults experience food insecurity due to fixed incomes, increasing living expenses, limited access to grocery stores, and transportation barriers.

Through the new grant, Resident Services Coordinators at The Bolton North Apartments and The Terraces at Park Heights in Baltimore will expand initiatives aimed at improving food access for seniors. Planned efforts include enhanced enrollment and renewal assistance for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), expanded food pantry services and home-delivered food boxes, and community-led shared meals that encourage social engagement among residents.

Established in 2022 by Enterprise Community Partners with support from the Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, administered by Bank of America as trustee, the Thome Aging Well program follows a trust-based philanthropy model. This approach empowers local organizations to respond quickly and effectively to the specific needs of the communities they serve.

Stephany De Scisciolo, Enterprise's Vice President of Impact, Evaluation and Population Health, emphasized that the funding provides community organizations with the flexibility to tailor solutions to local challenges. She noted that entrusting resources to experienced, community-based partners helps maximize the program's impact by enabling older adults to continue living safely and comfortably in the neighborhoods they call home.

Since its inception, the Thome Aging Well initiative has distributed more than $23 million to 66 community, government, and tribal organizations. The program has benefited over 14,000 older adults through home modifications that support aging in place, workforce development and training, preventive health services, food access and delivery programs, and a broad range of additional support services.

During the season of generosity, Entergy Arkansas is doing more than delivering reliable power across its 63-county footprint. The company is also encouraging employees to take an active role in supporting neighbors in need throughout the state. Over the past month, employee-identified needs have helped direct $30,000 toward hunger-relief initiatives across Arkansas.

Drew County initiative provides food through February
In Drew County, a food assistance program serving 156 seniors and residents with disabilities was forced to pause operations after its distribution site relocated during the recent federal government shutdown. When lifelong resident and Customer Service Manager Amanda Killingsworth became aware of the situation, she immediately stepped in to help.

Killingsworth rallied colleagues and reached more than 2,600 people through Facebook, seeking sponsors to fund a month of meals at $60 per recipient. Within two weeks, she and fellow employees were purchasing food in bulk, packing meals alongside volunteers, and delivering food boxes using Entergy trucks and trailers.

“Entergy has a genuine heart for the communities it serves,” Killingsworth said. “When leaders and teammates ask, ‘How can we help?’ it reminds you that you’re part of an organization that values service as much as you do.”

Thanks to Entergy Arkansas’s support and the donations Killingsworth helped secure, every participant in the program—along with several additional residents—received enough food to last through February.

Statewide hunger relief strengthened through strategic support
Across Arkansas, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance has been working to maintain food supplies at its six regional food banks and more than 500 partner organizations during a time when many residents temporarily lost access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Entergy Arkansas contributed a $20,000 grant to help sustain these efforts.

John Bethel, Entergy Arkansas Director of Public Affairs and president of the Alliance’s board, said the funding addressed an urgent need.

“This contribution allowed the Alliance to continue distributing food statewide, helping reduce food insecurity and support communities when they needed it most,” Bethel said.
Alliance CEO Sylvia Blain emphasized the broader impact of the partnership.

“Entergy’s support strengthens our statewide network and helps ensure that rural areas, seniors, and families have access to nutritious food and emergency assistance,” Blain said. “We’re thankful for Entergy’s ongoing leadership and for John Bethel’s advocacy, which has helped connect employee engagement with local food pantry needs.”

Employees bridge nonprofits with critical resources
In Malvern, Network Administrative Assistant Ashley Selph noticed that Revive Community Outreach was experiencing increased demand at its food pantry. She encouraged Executive Director Courtney McKinney to apply for an Entergy Arkansas grant. For McKinney, who grew up alongside Selph, the advocacy meant just as much as the financial support.

“When Entergy employees speak up on behalf of our nonprofit, it means the world to us,” McKinney said. “It reflects how deeply people care about this community and their willingness to use their influence to support local families.”

Grant ensures students have food during school breaks
In Independence County, Vegetation Operations Coordinator Chris Millay learned of another pressing need while visiting his children at Sulphur Rock Elementary School. Principal Tina Baker shared that the school’s program—providing weekly food boxes to 52 students—did not have the funds needed to supply food during the upcoming holiday breaks.

Millay passed the request along immediately, and Entergy Arkansas approved a grant the very next morning.

“We’re incredibly thankful for Entergy employees who advocate for our students beyond their day-to-day roles,” Baker said. “Support like this helps ensure every child has what they need to succeed.”

Significant investment in Arkansas communities in 2025
So far in 2025, Entergy Arkansas has distributed nearly $1 million in community grants, including more than $125,000 dedicated to hunger-relief efforts. Employees are also expected to contribute more than 30,000 volunteer hours with schools and nonprofit organizations statewide.

“We focus on partnering with organizations that are committed to improving quality of life across Arkansas,” said Brandi Hinkle, senior representative for Entergy Corporate Social Responsibility. “Our employees share that commitment by giving both their time and resources to help those facing challenges.”

Continuing the spirit of service through December
Throughout December, Entergy Arkansas employees will remain active in their communities by donating toys to families at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, volunteering with the Salvation Army, distributing coats to elementary students, and assembling food pantry boxes for individuals experiencing food insecurity.