PPG pledges $30,000 to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Increased funding supports annual operating budget

The PPG Industries Foundation recently pledged $30,000 to Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for 2009. Shown here at the “Red Door” food pantry at St. Mary of Mercy Church in Pittsburgh is (from left) Betty Penny, social concerns outreach minister; Sue Sloan, executive director of PPG’s Foundation; Joyce Rothermel, chief executive officer of the Food Bank; and Bill Wulfsohn, PPG’s senior vice president, industrial coatings and a board member of the Food Bank. The Red Door program – which started during the Great Depression – provides bag lunches Monday through Saturday to those in need and receives support from the Food Bank.
PITTSBURGH, June 1, 2009 – The PPG Industries Foundation has pledged $30,000 to support the mission of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank for 2009. This is a $5,000 increase from PPG’s previous annual support.

“Our organization is committed to eliminating hunger and helping the families and individuals who rely on our supplies and services in southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Joyce Rothermel, the Food Bank’s chief executive officer. “As the economy slows, the need for food and good nutrition ramps up. PPG’s support is critical to help keep our shelves full and to fund transportation costs required for delivery to the many food assistance programs in the area that in turn distribute directly to those in need.”

Rothermel noted that an important part of the Food Bank’s mission is to “rescue” food that might otherwise go to waste and then re-direct it to the appropriate agencies. In 2007 and 2008, more than 20 million pounds of food was collected and distributed. “Since 2006 we have been promoting the ‘Campaign to End Hunger,’ a public awareness program that focuses on the hunger problems in our community and finding long-term solutions to those problems,” she said. “PPG’s gift is critical to keeping our operation functioning efficiently and effectively. “

“The PPG Industries Foundation is proud to provide financial support to this organization that is so critical and important to the overall health of our community,” said William A. Wulfsohn, PPG senior vice president, industrial coatings, and a member of the Food Bank’s board of directors. “Not only does the Food Bank supply food, it supports counseling programs that help those in need to learn to balance budgets and meet individual or family nutritional needs.”

Wulfsohn said that PPG has been supporting this organization for many years. “Just this past year, the Food Bank assisted more than 120,000 individuals of which nearly one-third were under the age of 18. In today’s difficult economic times, many more people require assistance,” he said. “PPG was happy to raise its level of support in order to reach more people.”

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 the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that collects, stores, and distributes more than 20 million pounds of food and grocery products per year to 380 member agencies and affiliated food banks in southwestern Pennsylvania. For additional information on the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, visit www.pittsburghfoodbank.org.

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:
Wendy McAfoose
412-434-3099
mcafoose@ppg.com