California American Water Honors MLK Day with Donation Drive Supporting the Gathering Inn

Rhea-AI Summary

California American Water (NYSE: AWK) organized a Martin Luther King Jr. donation drive from Jan 12–Feb 2, 2026 to benefit The Gathering Inn, a Placer County nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness. Employees donated hundreds of hygiene items, rain gear, socks, clothing, and comfort items.

The initiative was led by Meghan Pistolesi, Senior Coordinator in Engineering, and donations were collected at the Sacramento office and delivered to The Gathering Inn to help replenish urgently needed supplies.

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- To honor Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of service, California American Water's Culture Committee organized a donation drive benefiting The Gathering Inn, a Placer County nonprofit that provides shelter, essential resources, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness. The drive ran from January 12 through February 2, with donations collected at California American Water's Sacramento office and delivered to the organization.

Throughout the campaign, employees donated hundreds of essential items, including hygiene supplies, rain gear, socks, clothing, and comfort items, to help replenish The Gathering Inn's most urgently needed items. Contributions like these help the organization support disadvantaged individuals who rely on them for stability, health, and comfort during challenging times.

The effort was led by Meghan Pistolesi, Senior Coordinator in California American Water's Engineering Department, who expressed gratitude for the team's support. "The generosity shown by our team reflects the true spirit of Dr. King's message," said Pistolesi. "Every item donated helps restore dignity and hope for someone in our community."

This effort stands as a collective reminder that meaningful change begins with simple acts of service. To learn more about how to contribute or volunteer year-round, visit www.thegatheringinn.com.

About American Water 
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About California American Water 
California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, provides safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 750,000 people. 

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SOURCE American Water

FAQ

What did California American Water (AWK) do for MLK Day in 2026?

They ran a donation drive from Jan 12–Feb 2, 2026 collecting essential items for The Gathering Inn. According to the company, employees donated hundreds of hygiene supplies, rain gear, socks, clothing and comfort items, which were delivered from the Sacramento office.

Which organization benefited from California American Water's AWK donation drive?

The Gathering Inn, a Placer County nonprofit, was the recipient of the donation drive. According to the company, the Gathering Inn provides shelter, essential resources, and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness in the community.

How many people does California American Water (AWK) serve and what is its scope?

California American Water serves approximately 750,000 people and is a subsidiary of American Water. According to the company, American Water serves about 14 million people across 14 states and 18 military installations.

Who led the MLK Day donation effort at California American Water (AWK)?

The effort was led by Meghan Pistolesi, Senior Coordinator in the Engineering Department. According to the company, Pistolesi thanked employees and said the donations reflect Dr. King's message and help restore dignity and hope in the community.

How can people support The Gathering Inn after AWK's donation drive?

Individuals can contribute or volunteer year-round via The Gathering Inn's website at www.thegatheringinn.com. According to the company, the organization accepts donations and volunteer support to provide stability, health, and comfort to people experiencing homelessness.