THE CULTURE
OF GIVING:
Photo Credit : Ben Filio for Remake Learning
How Peoples Natural Gas Serves Western Pennsylvania Beyond Utility Work
For more than 140 years, Peoples Gas has been a trusted presence in Western Pennsylvania, providing safe, reliable natural gas to more than 700,000 customers. But talk to anyone inside the company, and they’ll tell you their identity goes far beyond delivering energy. At Peoples, giving back is not just encouraged — it’s part of the culture, driven by employees who genuinely care about the communities they serve.
From the first moments of internal interviews, it’s clear: community involvement is a priority because it matters deeply to the employees themselves. As one leader shared, Peoples show up for its communities “for one really simple reason, it’s extremely important to our employees.” Many have lived here their whole lives. Their families are here. Their children go to school here. And their connection to these neighborhoods shows in the way they volunteer, support local organizations, and respond to customer needs.
This commitment is rooted in the company’s core values of integrity, respect, and excellence. Employees see volunteer work as an extension of those principles. Respect comes up often; respecting customers, respecting neighbors, and providing a hand up when someone is struggling. These values shape how employees interact with communities both on and off the clock.
Peoples Gas employees contribute thousands of volunteer hours every year. Whether they are packaging food for families, helping organize parades, community cleanups, or supporting local events, employees describe these experiences as energizing and meaningful.
One of the most memorable initiatives is Project Bundle-Up, where employees shop with children and seniors for winter essentials. The moments shared; a child picking out their first winter coat, families expressing gratitude, or volunteers bringing their own children to experience giving — stay with employees long after the event ends. Many say it’s one of the most rewarding things they do all year.
Other major initiatives include Light the Night, a deeply personal cause to many families, and the Butler Spirit of Christmas parade, where employees proudly represent the company with floats and decorations. Across events, employees say they feel a strong sense of pride and connection, both to each other and to their communities.
Peoples Natural Gas also leads several large annual initiatives that reflect both community needs and company values:
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Earth Day — A growing movement inside the company focused on sustainability and protecting the environment.
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Fall for Food Banks — A response to the widespread food insecurity many families face, supported enthusiastically by employees.
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United Way Campaign — An employee giving initiative in which Peoples consistently “shows up in a big way,” according to one employee.
These programs demonstrate how deeply employees believe in serving others, especially during difficult times.
The company’s community commitment extends beyond volunteerism. Customer assistance programs play a critical role in helping families who are struggling. Through partnerships with the United Way, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Community Action agencies, and the Dollar Energy Fund, Peoples take a holistic approach to support.
Employees regularly help customers navigate crisis situations, arrange affordable payment plans, and connect them to resources that can provide a lifeline during difficult times. In many cases, stressed or upset customers become calmer and more hopeful once they understand the options available. Employees find these moments deeply rewarding because they can see, firsthand, that they are making someone’s life easier.
Newer employees often say they’re amazed by how much Peoples does for its communities. The legacy of service stretches back more than a century, but the passion behind it is very much alive today. Employees describe the culture as family-like, supportive, and grounded in the belief that “we don’t just serve the region, we’re part of it.”
That belief guides every act of service and every program the company supports. It’s what motivates teams to roll up their sleeves, step into their neighborhoods, and make a difference, year after year.
For Peoples Natural Gas, community is not a buzzword. It’s a responsibility, a source of pride, and an essential part of who they are.
