DETROIT, Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW), an independent non-profit agency that provides emergency energy assistance to low income Michigan residents in need and advocates for long-term energy solutions, today announced it has received a generous $3 million contribution from Consumers Energy. The announcement made by Susan Sherer, CEO of THAW.
The contribution from Consumers Energy, which provides natural gas and electric service to nearly 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents, will be used to support two important THAW initiatives. Two million dollars will be used by THAW to provide emergency energy assistance to Consumers Energy customers in need this year, and $1 million will support THAW's Michigan Home Energy Solutions (MHES) project. MHES is the umbrella for all innovation projects within THAW. The MHES team has introduced a series of pilot programs and customer interventions that are intended to help THAW and its partners better understand, and develop solutions for utility customers so they can pay for the energy they use within their homes. The program is designed to drive efficiency and effectiveness to the system of delivering energy assistance to people in need.
"THAW is interested in transformational reform focused on bringing low-income residents in need to complete energy self sufficiency. This generous contribution by Consumers Energy is yet another example of great corporate citizens investing in solutions for Michigan that are sustainable, improving the quality of life and good for the economy," said Sherer. "THAW is grateful for Consumers Energy's ongoing support of emergency needs as well as development of social innovations that will make a lasting difference for customers in need."
Patti Poppe, vice president of customer experience and operations for Consumers Energy, said the contribution reflects the company's 125-year tradition of customer service and community involvement.
"The people of Consumers Energy care about the communities where we work and live and the people in those communities. We know that some of our neighbors struggle each day to meet their basic needs. Helping our neighbors in need is part of our promise to Michigan," Poppe said. "We're pleased to provide this additional funding to THAW and support its efforts to help those in need."
About The Heat And Warmth Fund
The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW), is an independent non-profit (501(c)(3) agency that provides emergency energy assistance to Michigan residents in need and advocates for long-term energy solutions. THAW was established in 1985 in order to improve the quality of life in Michigan and prevent human suffering by helping low-income individuals facing an energy crisis. To learn more about THAW, inquire about assistance, or to make a donation, visit www.thawfund.org or call 1-800-866-8429.
About Consumers Energy
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE: CMS), provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. For more information regarding Consumers Energy, access our website at www.consumersenergy.com or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan.
SOURCE The Heat And Warmth Fund (THAW)