GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In keeping with its promise to Michigan, Consumers Energy is making a $1 million contribution to The Salvation Army, enabling the charity to support the state's most vulnerable residents with emergency energy bill assistance.
The contribution comes during the 30th anniversary of the PeopleCare program, jointly founded and led by The Salvation Army and Consumers Energy.
While formally separate from the PeopleCare program, this $1 million contribution is additional support from Consumers Energy to help supplement the Salvation Army's existing energy assistance provision.
"The Salvation Army would like to offer a heartfelt 'thank you' to Consumers Energy for this generous donation and especially for their long and unwavering history of support," said Major Thomas Bowers, The Salvation Army Divisional Commander. "This gift offers a ray of hope for those in our communities who are experiencing difficulty in paying utility bills as well as providing a proven way to empower clients to escape from the cycle of recurring need," Major Bowers added.
"Tough economic times inspired Consumers Energy and The Salvation Army to create the PeopleCare program, which has provided emergency help to more than 340,000 Michigan households. We're pleased today to make an additional $1 million contribution to The Salvation Army to further strengthen its ability to care for our communities and neighbors in need," said Patti Poppe, vice president of customer experience and operations for Consumers Energy.
Since 1983, Consumers Energy and its customers and employees have partnered with The Salvation Army to provide money, food, home heating and other emergency help to people and families in Michigan. Emergency aid of any kind may be available for those who have suffered a job loss, home foreclosure or are dealing with high or unexpected medical bills. Since inception, the PeopleCare program has raised nearly $17 million in employee and customer contributions, and received $33 million in energy bill credits from Consumers Energy company.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 9,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.
About Consumers Energy:
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. For more information, go to www.consumersenergy.com
SOURCE Consumers Energy