JACKSON, Mich., Dec. 27 /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 2005, PeopleCare helped nearly 14,000
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 2005, Consumers Energy provided $1.5 million in energy bill credits and
the utility's customers and employees contributed more than $700,000 for
PeopleCare. In 2006, the utility will provide $2.5 million in energy bill
credits.
Since the PeopleCare program began in 1983, customers and utility
employees have donated nearly $11 million and Consumers Energy has contributed
$21.4 million in energy bill credits.
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
P.O. Box 27188
Lansing, Mich. 48909-4121
"PeopleCare has been focused on one goal since 1983: Help people in need.
Over the past 23 years, PeopleCare has helped more than 270,000 households
with quick, direct assistance. Consumers Energy and its employees are proud
to support PeopleCare and to help those in need," said John Russell, Consumers
Energy's president and chief operating officer.
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural
gas and electricity to more than six 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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