Sun Coast Resources and CITGO Help the Houston Furniture Bank Keep "Fueling Good"

HOUSTON, March 21, 2013 / 3BL Media /PRNewswire/ -- CITGO Petroleum Corporation and Houston-based CITGO Marketer, Sun Coast Resources, organized a surprise donation for the Houston Furniture Bank in honor of its commitment to "furnishing hope by making empty houses homes." Together, the two companies presented furniture collected by Sun Coast Resources employees and $500 in CITGO Gift Cards at the Houston CITGO Marketer Meeting on March 5, 2013.

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"We have identified a crucial need for families transitioning into independent living situations, and we are working hard to meet that need by collecting and distributing furniture to families without the means to purchase beds, appliances or even kitchen tables," said Oli Mohammed, founder and executive director of the program. "We are so surprised and so honored by these generous gifts from Sun Coast Resources and CITGO. The substantial donation of CITGO gasoline will help us deliver all of the furniture that Sun Coast Resources has collected for us, and it will help us break this vicious cycle of poverty."

The Houston Furniture Bank provides furniture at no cost to families struggling to make ends meet due to natural disasters, impoverishment, addiction or catastrophic health issues. Recipients are referred by more than 75 social service agencies in the Greater Houston area. Since its founding more than 20 years ago, the Houston Furniture Bank has collected almost a quarter of a million pieces of donated furniture and delivered them to more than 23,000 families in need in the greater Houston metropolitan area.

"We at Sun Coast Resources strongly support CITGO and its commitment to recognizing those who are Fueling Good in local communities, and we are pleased to help honor the Houston Furniture Bank for doing just that," said Kathy Lehne, founder and CEO at Sun Coast Resources. "We often take for granted the most basic necessities, including the furniture that we use to spend time with our families, whether it is sharing meals, reading bedtime stories or playing together. The Houston Furniture Bank has recognized the importance of these items, and has provided beds for more than 50,000 children."

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.

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