CITGO Lemont Refinery Holds Annual Food Drive for Local Pantries

LEMONT, IL — Employees at the CITGO Lemont Refinery recently held their annual food drive benefiting five local pantries: Bethany Food Pantry, Day Break Shelter, Fairmont Food Pantry, Lockport FISH Pantry and Romeoville Community Pantry, according to a release from CITGO.

Both CITGO employees and contractors working at the refinery participated in the drive, collecting over $5,000 worth of non-perishable food items to be donated.

For over 30 years, it has been a fall tradition for CITGO employees to come together to replenish local food pantries prior to the start of the holiday season, according to a release.

"2021 has been another difficult year for many in our community and this was an opportunity for our employees to help their fellow neighbors in need," Dennis Willig, CITGO Lemont Vice President and General Manager, said in a release.

In addition to hosting the food drive, CITGO employees also recently volunteered at the Northern Illinois Food Bank Pop-Up Market held at Joliet Junior College, a release stated. Employees and their families helped give out food to over 500 families at the drive-thru market.

“This event really helped our community, as was seen by the tremendous turnout. I am proud of the long history our employees have supporting our local food pantries and great organizations like Northern Illinois Food Bank,” Willig added.