CITGO Petroleum and Watkins Oil Award Food Bank of South Central Michigan $5,000 for Fueling Good

BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Food Bank of South Central Michigan in Battle Creek, Mich., is Fueling Good as one of 12 winners in the CITGO Fueling Good summer program. Recognized by CITGO and local Marketer Watkins Oil for its ongoing efforts to collect and deliver food to those in need across south central Michigan, the non-profit organization has been awarded $5,000 in CITGO Gift Cards to help extend its Ripple of Good and the impact of its work.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110426/PH89704LOGO )

"Every day, we collect and deliver food and grocery products to more than 280 food pantries, soup kitchens and other charities in eight counties across south central Michigan. That's more than 100,000 people served every year on a limited budget," said Bob Randels, executive director for the Food Bank of South Central Michigan. "Knowing that the fuel for our support vehicles is paid for means we will be able to put more money and resources towards collecting food items and reaching more people in the community. We are extremely grateful to CITGO and Watkins Oil for their support."

Since 1982, the Food Bank of South Central Michigan has provided quality food and grocery products to those in need. Almost 10 percent of the population in the eight counties served by the Food Bank lives below the poverty line. The organization collects and distributes food and grocery products, advocates for hunger-relief programs and collaborates with organizations to address basic human needs. Partnering with local emergency shelters, soup kitchens, food pantries, senior citizen programs, after school programs and day care centers, the Food Bank is able to tailor its efforts to meet the specific needs of each local community from its base in Battle Creek.

"The entire Watkins Oil family is pleased to help recognize and reward the Food Bank of South Central Michigan for its ongoing commitment to our community," said Patrick McAvoy, president of Watkins Oil. "Hunger is a widespread problem in Michigan and across the country, so it is wonderful to see such a strong, local organization taking action against the issue in such a positive way. We are very proud to partner with CITGO in its support of this fantastic charity."

The Food Bank of South Central Michigan is one of 12 CITGO Summer Fueling Good campaign winners selected from more than 1,100 charities through a nationwide online vote. More than 100,000 votes were cast to help identify the latest winners in one of four categories: Environmental Protection and Restoration; Education and Social Investment; Energy Assistance and Conservation; and Health and Well-being.

The principles of Fueling Good can be seen in all aspects of the CITGO brand and are aligned with the social development principles of the CITGO shareholder, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA), the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Voting for the Fall 2011 Fueling Good program comes to a close on Oct. 27 and the next 12 winners will be announced in November. Registration for the Winter program begins Dec. 1 and all 501(c) (3) non-profit organizations based in the 26 states and District of Columbia in which CITGO operates are invited to submit an entry at www.FuelingGood.com.

For regular updates and to join the conversation, "Like" CITGO Fueling Good at www.Facebook.com/CITGOFuelingGood and view videos of past winners at www.youtube.com/CITGOFuelingGood.

CITGO, based in Houston, is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. The company is owned by PDV America, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information visit www.CITGO.com.

SOURCE CITGO

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