Houston, Texas – April 9, 2019 As part of its disaster relief initiative “Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives.,” CITGO Petroleum Corporation unveiled a mobile food pantry to serve as a mini grocery store for Houston residents impacted by Hurricane Harvey. At an unveiling ceremony on April 8 at Volunteers of America Texas, CITGO and Houston Food Bank representatives, alongside Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, celebrated the launch of the pantry and distributed food to local residents.
“Access to healthy food in the long-term aftermath of a disaster is a vital, but often overlooked, aspect of recovery,” said Mayor Turner. “This is a fantastic initiative and I’m proud to be part of the unveiling. Houston is a great city because it is home to people, organizations and companies that care for one another. And there is no better example than CITGO.”
Working with the Houston Food Bank, CITGO sponsored the pantry to improve access to healthy foods for residents still rebuilding in the aftermath of the hurricane. "CITGO is working hard to make a difference in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Harvey," said CITGO General Manager, Community Relations, CSR and Legislative Affairs Larry Elizondo. "As an engaged corporate citizen of the Gulf area, we're committed to long-term recovery efforts, not just cleanup in the immediate aftermath of a storm. These mobile food pantries will ensure that the people in the communities where we live and work have access to affordable, healthy food, regardless of their situation."
The Houston pantry will make up to 10 stops per week in the Independence Heights, Northline and Acres Homes neighborhoods. Additional food pantries were unveiled in Corpus Christi, Texas on April 1 and Lake Charles, La. on April 4. “The food bank’s outreach and impact rely greatly on community partners, and CITGO has been a valued partner for many years, both in financial contributions and in volunteer hours donated by employees,” added President and CEO of Houston Food Bank Brian Greene. “With the donation of the mobile pantry, we will be able to go directly into neighborhoods in our community that need assistance the most. This trailer creates a mini mobile grocery store that improves access to healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, for low-income and food - insecure families. It will also serve as a roaming Food for Change market for locations that do not have adequate space to build out a pantry in their area.”
So far, through “Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives.,” CITGO has committed $11.5 million to storm recovery through 2020, working to rebuild homes and provide relief throughout Texas and the immediate Gulf area. Additionally, CITGO matches contributions that employees give to 501(c)3 organizations of their choosing.
About CITGO
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 5,000 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com.