Through the Stacks for Giving Back program, in collaboration with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), Nutella puts a focus on those who spread positivity in their local communities. In its third year, Nutella is once again supporting volunteer fire units with donations totaling $25,000. Nutella's official pancake partner, Pearl Milling Company, added $25,000 this year, increasing the program's total grant contribution to $50,000.

Volunteer fire departments serve as the backbone of their communities, safeguarding their neighbors and responding to a wide range of crises. However, because of growing call volume, additional training requirements and rising expenditures, these departments frequently struggle to find the money needed to buy equipment, hire and retain firefighters and meet high pressure demand.

10 volunteer fire departments received $5,000 grants from the 2026 Nutella Stacks for Giving Back initiative to assist address this need by purchasing the supplies that will improve the safety, effectiveness and readiness of local responders to serve their communities.

The recipients of the 2026 Stacks for Giving Back grants are as follows, along with what they will purchase with the grant:

• Camp Creek Volunteer Fire Department in Lancaster, SC: Firefighter pagers and necessary accessories to ensure full operational readiness.
• Federal Dam, MN, Fire and Rescue: Repairs to restore primary water tanker to ensure reliable water supply for fire suppression.
• Little River, KS, Fire Department: Department pagers to update communication systems and equipment that will improve incident notification and response.
• Northwest County Volunteer Fire in El Paso, TX: Equip a frontline brush truck to improve firefighter safety, reduce response times, and strengthen protection in rural service areas.
• Rosa Fire Department in Oneonta, AL: NFPA compliant portable radio to improve communication capabilities and enhance firefighter safety.
• Rossville Volunteer Fire Department in Poteet, TX: Communications equipment to improve safety and coordination.
• Russell Prater Volunteer Fire Department in Grundy, VA: Thermal imaging camera to enhance firefighter safety, search and rescue efficiency, and fire suppression operations.
• Southmayd, TX, Volunteer Fire Department: Two sets of new structural firefighting gear to better protect their firefighters.
• Three Mile Fire Department in Stevensville, MT: AutoPulse Resuscitation System to provide life-saving circulation during transport to the hospital.
• Wheeler Frankstown Volunteer Fire Department in Booneville, MS: New hoses to extinguish fires more quickly and effectively.

Nutella also gave 350 volunteer fire agencies a Pancake Breakfast Kit with the ingredients and tools needed depend on funds from local fundraising events. Nutella jars, Pearl Milling Company pancake mix, a Visa gift card, accessories for the griddle breakfast kit, a Nutella apron, a red spatula, menu table cards, window/wall decals and a personalized Stacks for Giving Back patch were all included in each package.

“We are grateful for the support of Nutella and Pearl Milling Company to enable local volunteer fire departments to secure the resources they need to best serve their communities,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “These grants and fundraising kits will have a direct impact in improving safety and efficiency for our nation’s boots on the ground responders.”

"Growing this program with Pearl Milling Company this year let us double our grant funding and reach even more volunteer departments," said Seth Gonzalez, marketing director, Nutella, Ferrero North America. "These grants and kits are a small thank you for the people who show up for their neighbors every single day - turning pancake breakfasts into real support these departments can put straight to work."

Learn more about the Stacks for Giving Back program here.