JACKSON, Mich., Dec. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- For many Michigan
families struggling to make ends meet, an unexpected problem can wash away
the joy of the holidays.
Often, those families just need a bit of help to get by: A prescription
for a sick child, a bag of groceries, or a tank of gas to get to work until
the next paycheck.
Consumers Energy and The Salvation Army created PeopleCare to provide
that help to individuals and families. In 2007, PeopleCare helped nearly
11,000 families across 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.
In 2007, Consumers Energy provided $1.5 million in energy bill credits
and the utility's customers and employees contributed more than $850,000
for PeopleCare. In 2008, the utility will again provide $1.5 million in
energy bill credits.
Since it was established in 1983, PeopleCare - a joint effort of The
Salvation Army and the utility - has helped 302,228 households in 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.
Consumers Energy customers can support PeopleCare's work of helping
families and individuals by checking a box at the top of their January
energy bills.
Customers may donate $3 a month or make a one-time donation of $5 by
checking one of the boxes at the top of their January bill. If they'd like
to contribute more each month, they can call 1-800-477-5050 and arrange to
have the amount added to their bill. Other contributions may be sent to:
PeopleCare
Consumers Energy
Lansing, Mich. 48937-0001
"PeopleCare is focused on one goal: Helping people in need. Over the
past 25 years, PeopleCare has helped thousands of households with quick,
direct assistance. Consumers Energy and its employees are proud to support
PeopleCare and to help those in need," said Debra Harmon, the utility's
corporate customer assistance advocacy manager. To see scenarios of
families helped by PeopleCare, or to download a brochure, 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.consumersenergy.com/peoplecare
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html /
CONTACT:
Dan Bishop, +1-517-788-2395, or Debra Dodd,
+1-248-433-5781, both of Consumers Energy
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