PPG donates $2,000 each to Pastor’s Pantry, Meals on Wheels

Funding supports everyday operations of organizations

Todd Douthit, PPG plant manager at the Lexington fiber glass manufacturing facility, greets Norma Buttke, board president of Pastor's Pantry, at the PPG plant. Douthit, at right, greets Bob Husted, local coordinator of Meals on Wheels, at the PPG plant.

LEXINGTON, N.C., Dec. 21, 2009 – In 2009, the PPG Industries Foundation donated $2,000 each to Pastor’s Pantry and the local Meals on Wheels for operating support.

Pastor’s Pantry provides groceries to seniors who sometimes have to choose between buying medicine and buying something to eat, according to Bill Keesler, executive director of the organization. "The financial support and volunteers from PPG have helped Pastor’s Pantry to provide food for an increased number of needy seniors in Davidson County," he said. "We are currently supplying 425 Davidson County residents with food each month, with assistance from volunteers including several PPG employees who deliver groceries. A year and a half ago, Pastor’s Pantry had just 300 clients."

Bob Husted, coordinator for Meals on Wheels, said the volunteer-staffed organization prepares and delivers well-balanced meals to individuals who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail or at risk and live independently rather than in institutions. "With PPG's help, we continue to serve people in Lexington and the surrounding community who cannot prepare adequate meals for themselves,” Husted said. “By providing this service, Meals on Wheels helps to improve these people's lives and health."

Todd Douthit, plant manager at PPG’s fiber glass manufacturing facility in Lexington, said, “PPG is strongly committed to supporting the communities where its employees work and live. We are proud to aid both Pastor’s Pantry and Meals on Wheels in their efforts to help people in our region to get much-needed groceries and nutritious meals for free. These are very difficult times, and we’re very happy to be able to assist valuable organizations such as these in helping our neighbors.”

Established in 1951, the PPG Industries Foundation demonstrates the values of PPG Industries by enhancing the quality of life in communities where the company has a presence. Interests of the foundation, in order of priority, are education, human services, culture and arts, and civic and community affairs. PPG also supports charitable causes by encouraging employee volunteerism and executives’ involvement with nonprofit organizations.

About Pastor’s Pantry
Pastor’s Pantry is a nonprofit organization committed to ending hunger by providing food and other essential products to seniors 60 years of age and older in financial need in Davidson County, NC. For more information, call 336-249-8824.

About Meals on Wheels
The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need. MOWAA is a member organization, and its membership comprises senior nutrition programs in the United States that provide nutritious meals and other nutrition services to men and women who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail or at risk. MOWAA strives to assist its Member programs in achieving their missions of providing quality meals and services to as many vulnerable people as possible in the most efficient and effective manner, so no senior goes hungry. For more information, call 336-248-8010.

About PPG
Pittsburgh-based PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiber glass. The company has more than 140 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates and operates in more than 60 countries. Sales in 2008 were $15.8 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

 

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Contact:
K.C. McCrory
PPG Corporate Communications
412-434-2445
kmccrory@ppg.com