JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Trouble never takes a summer
vacation for those on the edge of economic survival.
Trouble takes many forms. For example, an unexpected car repair or a
sick child or the paycheck that just can't be stretched to cover a tank of
gas and enough food at the grocery store.
Consumers Energy and The Salvation Army created PeopleCare to provide
short-term, emergency assistance to individuals and families with such
needs.
Consumers Energy customers can give PeopleCare a summertime boost by
checking a box at the top of their August energy bills. With the checkoff,
customers may make a one-time donation of $5 or donate $3 each month, with
the amount added to their Consumers Energy bill. Contributions also may be
sent to:
PeopleCare
Consumers Energy
Lansing, Mich. 48937-0001
Customers also may make a secure online donation at:
http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/peoplecare .
In 2007, PeopleCare helped nearly 11,000 families in Michigan,
providing food, shelter, clothing, and other emergency aid. The Salvation
Army determines eligibility for energy bill credits and other help and
distributes the aid. The utility provided $1.5 million in energy bill
credits to PeopleCare in 2007 and Consumers Energy customers and employees
contributed more than $850,000. The utility provided $1.5 million in energy
bill credits again this year.
Since it was established in 1983, PeopleCare has helped more than
310,000 households across Michigan. Consumers Energy employees and
customers have donated nearly $12.5 million to support PeopleCare and the
utility has contributed $25.3 million in energy bill credits for total
support of $37.8 million.
"PeopleCare offers a wonderful opportunity for our employees and
customers to reach out to those in need in the communities we serve. As
people experience more challenges in these difficult economic times,
PeopleCare becomes even more important to the families needing assistance,"
said Wayne Lynn, the executive manager of customer service for Consumers
Energy.
Debra Harmon, the utility's customer assistance coordinator/regulatory
affairs, pointed out that PeopleCare often provides the last avenue of hope
for families and individuals in need.
"We usually think about helping those in need around the holidays, but
economic difficulties know no season. We want to remind our customers that
the needs in their communities don't go down when the temperatures go up.
The good news is that kindness knows no season, either. We hope that our
customers will take a few moments and consider a donation to help their
neighbors in need," Harmon said.
To learn how PeopleCare helps families or to download a brochure about
the program, visit: http://www.consumersenergy.com/peoplecare .
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides
natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million
residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
For more information about Consumers Energy, visit our Website at
http://www.consumersenergy.com
SOURCE Consumers Energy
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Related links:
http://www.consumersenergy.com
http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/peoplecare
http://www.consumersenergy.com/peoplecare
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html /
CONTACT:
Jeff Holyfield, +1-517-788-2394, or Dan
Bishop, +1-517-788-2395, both of Consumers Energy
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