SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Motorists across America will soon have a chance to fight hunger in their communities simply by filling up with fuel at a Valero-branded outlet. Valero will launch the "Fill Up to Fight Hunger" program at participating locations on April 4, 2011. For each eight-gallon fuel purchase made at a participating Valero outlet, Valero will donate $1 to the local food bank in that area.
Total amounts donated to each food bank will depend on the amount of fuel purchases in that area. By partnering with Feeding America, a network of 200 local food banks, Valero [image-nocss] said that expects to donate up to $3 million when the "Fill Up to Fight Hunger" program ends at the end of the second quarter.
"Valero has always believed in giving back in the communities where we do business, and this will help local food banks address some of the increased demand for their services that typically occurs when kids are out of school for the summer," said David Parker, Valero's senior vice president for product supply and wholesale marketing. "The great thing about this program is that it encourages our customers to help their communities, simply by stopping in and filling up."
Both company-owned Valero Corner Stores and independently operated Valero-branded locations may participate in the "Fill Up to Fight Hunger" program. Distributors who opted in through the Valero Customer Portal or by phone will receive free point-of-purchase signage to support the program.
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with food. As a leading domestic hunger-relief charity, its network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. Feeding America is based in Chicago.
Valero Energy Corp., San Antonio, Texas, is an international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels, other petrochemical products and power. Its assets include 14 petroleum refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 2.6 million barrels per day, 10 ethanol plants with a combined production capacity of 1.1 billion gallons per year, and a 50-megawatt wind farm. Valero is also one of the largest retail operators with approximately 5,800 retail and branded wholesale outlets in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean under the Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar and Beacon brands.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.