As part of its overarching disaster relief initiative, “Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives.,” CITGO Petroleum Corporation is sponsoring mobile food pantries in areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey on the Gulf Coast. Working with local food banks, CITGO will fund custom food pantry trailers to serve as mobile, mini grocery stores, improving access to healthy foods for residents still rebuilding after the storm. The first pantry will launch in early December.
“CITGO is working hard to make a difference in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Harvey,” said CITGO Vice President Strategic Shareholder Relations and Government & Public Affairs Rafael Gomez. “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.”
One of the trailers will launch in Houston, Texas, where it will make up to 10 stops per week in the Independence Heights, Northline and Acres Homes neighborhoods. CITGO will also expand its mobile food pantry support to other hurricane-affected areas. In Texas’ Coastal Bend region, CITGO will partner with the Coastal Bend Food Bank to make deliveries five days a week to Aransas, Bee, Klebert, Nueces and San Patricio counties. Meanwhile, the company will support the Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana to make deliveries throughout Southwest Louisiana.
“Rebuilding homes and recovering possessions can take the spotlight in the aftermath of a natural disaster,” added Gomez. “It’s easy for personal wellness to take a backseat, but it’s important to address disaster recovery holistically. In partnership with our local food banks, we’re going to make sure nutritious food is accessible and affordable for residents of areas that have been hit hardest.”
Mobile food pantries are part of “Fueling Good. Rebuilding Lives.” So far, through this initiative, CITGO has committed $10.9 million to storm recovery over the next three years, 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 up to a certain amount, giving its employee volunteer organization TeamCITGO the means to strengthen its own generosity as volunteers continue work to rebuild their communities.
