SIOUX FALLS, SD (December 17, 2014) – POET team members collected more than 33,000 pounds of food as part of an annual food drive competition between POET Biorefining – Glenville and POET Biorefining – Hanlontown.

POET Biorefining – Hanlontown claimed victory by collecting 16,917 pounds of food while POET Biorefining – Glenville was close behind with 16,096 pounds of food.

“Our team members look forward to this friendly competition every holiday season,” said Steve McNinch, General Manager of POET Biorefining – Glenville. “I’m especially proud that we more than doubled last year’s donation. Giving back is an integral part of our culture here at POET and we look forward to continuing this tradition in the years to come.”

“On behalf of the entire team here at Hanlontown, we are honored to give back to our local communities and help restock food shelves during the busy holiday season,” said Kelly Hansen, General Manager of POET Biorefining – Hanlontown. “All too often we take holiday meals for granted and we are hopeful our contribution today will help make the holidays a little brighter for families in our surrounding communities.”

Donations were divided up between Manna of North Iowa in Northwood, the Food Bank in Lake Mills, the Community Kitchen in Mason City, Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank in Mason City and the Salvation Army in Albert Lea.

In the attached photo, POET Biorefining – Hanlontown team members are delivering donations to Manna of North Iowa in Northwood, Iowa. Pictured from left to right: Bruce Moore – Chief Mechanical Operator, Denny Baker – Commodity Assistant, Dave Paulson - Electrician, Quinton Cordray – Maintenance Technician, Paulette Rueter – Quality Manager, Tracy McCoy – Maintenance Clerk and Peyton Perkins.

About POET

POET, one of the world’s largest ethanol producers, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 25-year-old company has a production capacity in excess of 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-protein animal feed annually from its network of 27 production facilities. POET also operates a pilot-scale cellulosic bio-ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs, leaves, husk and some stalk as feedstock, and expects to commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa through its joint venture with DSM. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.