Painted Pink for Cancer Awareness, BIG HOPE 1 Visits Zen-Noh Grain Corp.'s Convent, LA Export Elevator

Convent, LA — A giant pink barge was unloaded yesterday at the Zen-Noh Grain Corporation export elevator in Convent, LA, but “she” is doing far more than carrying soybeans for export to the worldwide marketplace.

This one-of-a-kind barge was painted pink to help raise money for cancer awareness, and the team members at Zen-Noh Grain Corporation proudly welcomed the opportunity to celebrate its arrival.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to welcome BIG HOPE 1 this week. Giving back is a priority at CGB and ZGC, and we are honored to help Ceres Barge Line promote awareness for cancer research,” said Kelly Buchanan, Marketing & Communications Manager, CGB Enterprises, Inc.

To celebrate its latest voyage, female team members gathered for a photo in front of the barge, wearing pink hard hats and pink vests in support of BIG HOPE 1 and breast cancer awareness.

“On June 15, 2020, I had a complete mastectomy from Stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ which was found by a mammogram. It has not been an easy road for me but my family and friends helped me get through this difficult and challenging time.

"When they did the mastectomy, the pathology report showed no other evidence of breast cancer, which was a blessing. Taking a photo with BIG HOPE 1 meant a lot to me and it represents a lot for everyone who has battled breast cancer or lost their lives to breast cancer.

"BIG HOPE 1 raises awareness, faith and hope for breast cancer, and all cancer types. This big pink barge is helping to fund miracles,” said Christie Carnaggio, ZGC team member and breast cancer survivor.

BIG HOPE 1 was originally launched in 2012 by Ceres Barge Line. Vince Schu and his wife Julie, who have both had their families impacted by cancer, inspired Big Hope 1.

Schu is a longtime East St. Louis, IL-based Ceres Barge Line employee in charge of the heavy lift division. It was he who arranged with Sherwin-Williams to donate the pink paint for the barge.

Since then, BIG HOPE 1 has been used to raise money to advance cancer research and impact patients. Through Ceres Barge and its vast network of philanthropic customers and vendors, the BIG HOPE 1 has generated donations of more than $1 million to Mary Crowley Cancer Research.

Both CGB Enterprises, Inc. and its parent company, Zen-Noh Grain Corporation, made donations to Mary Crowley Cancer Research as part of this awareness initiative.

To donate directly to Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center, visit www.marycrowley.org/donate and put BIG HOPE in the comments section on the donation page.

About Zen-Noh Grain Corporation

Zen-Noh Grain Corporation is the US Subsidiary of the National Federation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations of Japan, Zen-Noh. ZGC trades and exports corn, soybeans, sorghum, wheat, and byproducts from its state-of-the art export Elevator located at mile 164 on the Mississippi River in Convent, LA to Japan and other global markets. ZGC also has grain origination interests in Canada and Brazil, and a forage processing business in Pasco, WA. To learn more, visit www.zgcusa.com.

About CGB Enterprises, Inc.

CGB Enterprises, Inc. is headquartered in Covington, LA, and, thru its wholly-owned subsidiary, Consolidated Grain and Barge Co., operates over 100 grain facilities across the Midwest. In addition to grain facilities, CGB Enterprises, Inc. has dedicated operations in logistics and transportation (CTLC), agrifinance (AGRIfinancial Services), soybean processing, producer risk management, and other related businesses. For more information on CGB Enterprises, Inc. and its family of businesses, please visit www.cgb.com.

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