CITGO Lemont Supports Local Food Pantries for the Holidays

LEMONT, Ill., Dec. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- As a way to ensure local food pantries are well-stocked for the holidays, each year the CITGO Lemont Refinery reaches out to the local community through an annual food drive.

In November, approximately $5,000 worth of non-perishable food was donated by CITGO employees and contractors. During the week of Thanksgiving, TeamCITGO volunteers delivered the food to Bethany Food Pantry, Daybreak Shelter, DuPage Township Pantry, Fairmont Food Pantry, Lockport FISH Pantry and Romeoville Community Pantry. 

"We can't thank CITGO enough. Not only is our pantry full, but the drive also raises awareness that there is a need in our community," said Bethany Food Pantry Volunteer, Marge McLaughlin.

According to Brian Rimbo, TeamCITGO volunteer and organizer of the drive, this was the 20^th year the food drive was hosted at the refinery and it was one of the largest. While participation has always been high, this year's outcome truly reflects a team effort between employees and onsite contract workers.

"It's a pleasure for us to be able to help our neighbors by supporting the local food pantries. The outpouring of generosity for this year's drive was truly amazing," said Dennis Willig, CITGO Lemont Vice President and General Manager. 

About the CITGO Lemont Refinery

For more than 90 years, CITGO Lemont Refinery has employed more than 750 Chicago area residents on a full-time and contract basis in support of the local economy. In addition to producing high quality fuels for a large portion of the network of nearly 5,200 independently and locally-owned CITGO stations across the country, Lemont Refinery employees also make a major positive impact on the community. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer hours and thousands of dollars are given in support of community programs such as Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way and a variety of environmental and preservation programs. Operations at the Lemont Refinery began in 1925 with a major expansion, doubling the facility in 1933. Over the years, new units were added to meet the demand for a better quality of gas for automobiles, aviation fuel for WWII, and the production of asphalt.

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 sixth-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 5,200 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

SOURCE CITGO