CITGO recently announced a donation of $125,000 in resilience grants for nonprofits across Houston and Corpus Christi, Texas, and Lake Charles, La. The grants come at the start of hurricane season — which officially began on June 1.
“Working with these organizations, we want to help equip our communities with the tools and resources they need to navigate the challenges of the upcoming storm season,” said CITGO Vice President of Human Resources and Support Services Kresha Sivinski. “The proactive steps we take now to prepare for this time of year are so important — it’s about bringing people together and helping them protect themselves. As a part of these communities, there is nothing more rewarding for us at CITGO than taking care of people in the face of adversity.”
In Houston, CITGO awarded a grant to Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston for Operation IMpact. Funds support the distribution of five meals worth of nonperishable food to 5,000 homebound seniors in the Greater Houston and Galveston area through the Meals on Wheels program.
On June 1, CITGO volunteers delivered the nonperishable food and provided seniors with updated disaster preparation and emergency services information, should inclement weather hit and disrupt Meals on Wheels services for affected seniors.
CITGO is also providing funds to the Gulf of Mexico Alliance to support the Corpus Christi community and enhance overall resilience to future hazards. Using an integrated approach, this project will engage city stakeholders in a Community Resilience Index (CRI) workshop, the result of which will identify vulnerabilities and plans for projects that increase resilience to storms, flooding and other hazards.
The grant will fund a project that addresses an identified resiliency gap from the workshop. The program will enhance community engagement and collaboration, optimize resource allocation, address community needs and promote sustainable community development.
In partnership with the United Way of Southwest Louisiana, CITGO is supporting the resilience of an estimated 50 homes in Calcasieu Parish. At the request of homeowners and residents in the parish, contractors will remove stray branches or weakened trees near residences. Trimming trees before hurricane season prevents potential property destruction and injuries due to falling branches and trees caused by high winds and heavy rains. These services will enhance the resilience of homes during high-wind storms, which means more residents can stay in their homes following a natural disaster while minimizing cleanup efforts.
CITGO Petroleum Corp. is a leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO owns and operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, La.; Lemont, Ill.; and Corpus Christi, Texas, and wholly and/or jointly owns 42 active terminals, six pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants.
With approximately 3,600 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 807,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO ranks as the fifth-largest and is one of the most complex independent refiners in the U.S.
