DTE Energy Foundation Partners with 57 Nonprofits to Provide Food, Shelter and Other Critical Assistance to Those in Need

DETROIT, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of DTE Energy's response to the downturn in Michigan's economy, the DTE Energy Foundation today announced it has partnered with 57 nonprofit agencies and awarded more than $760,000 in grants to help families and individuals in crisis.  

Those funds include $200,000 in contributions the Foundation made to match $100,000 raised by DTE Energy employees to benefit nonprofits providing food and shelter to those in need.

"The organizations we've supported with these grants have done a tremendous job addressing the acute human needs that have resulted from the economic downturn," said Fred Shell, DTE Energy vice president of corporate and government affairs and president of the DTE Energy Foundation.  "Our partnerships with these professional nonprofit organizations have been essential in helping us assist families in need."

The grants announced today include:

• $275,000 to the Michigan Association of United Ways toward developing the Michigan Benefit Access Initiative.  This project allows low-income people to apply online for a wide range of assistance programs.  The grant will help enhance the online assistance programs the Michigan Department of Human Services is currently developing.  

• $100,000 to support United Way for Southeastern Michigan's 2-1-1 On the Go! homeless outreach program.  This innovative program places trained United Way outreach staff on the streets of Detroit to connect homeless individuals with the services and support necessary to fulfill basic needs, gain employment and secure permanent housing.

• $50,000 to Forgotten Harvest to support operations of a new hybrid diesel/electric truck. The organization will use the vehicle to rescue 875,000 pounds of fresh food from grocery stores and other donors and deliver it to 155 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters serving metro Detroit's most vulnerable residents.  

The grants are a departure from the DTE Energy Foundation's long-standing mission to fund Michigan nonprofits supporting leadership, education, the environment, achievement, development and diversity.  The Foundation board voted last year to reallocate funds to organizations addressing the critical human needs of families and individuals affected by Michigan's economic downturn.

Other human needs organizations that received awards from the DTE Energy Foundation are:

• Wayne County: Cass Community Social Services, COTS, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry, Focus:HOPE, Fort Street Presbyterian Church, Gleaners, Latin Americans for Social & Economic Development, Manna Community Meal Day House, Detroit Goodfellows, Our Lady of Lourdes, Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order, St. Christine Soup Kitchen and Pantry, St. Mary's/John Bolde Food Bank, Salvation Army-Downriver, Salvation Army – Plymouth, St. Patrick Senior Center, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Starfish Family Services.

• Oakland County: HAVEN, Lighthouse of Oakland County, St. John's Episcopal Church, Salvation Army – Eastern Michigan Division, Salvation Army – Farmington Hills, Yad Ezra.

• Macomb County: Macomb Food Program, St. Teresa of Avita Food Program, Salvation Army – Mt. Clemens, Samaritan House, Turning Point.

• Monroe County: Family Counseling & Shelter Services of Monroe, Salvation Army – Monroe, Hot Line to God Ministries, Monroe County Opportunity Program.

• St. Clair County: Safe Horizons, St. Clair County Council on Aging, Salvation Army – Port Huron, St. Martin's Lutheran Church.

• Washtenaw County:  Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, Food Gatherers, Hope Medical Clinic, Safehouse Center, Salvation Army of Washtenaw County.

• Ingham County: Gateway Community Services, Greater Lansing Food Bank, Michigan Food Bank Council.

• Lenawee County: Salvation Army – Adrian.

• Livingston County: Gleaners.

• Western Michigan: Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Mel Trotter Ministries.

• Northern Michigan: Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan, American Red Cross Food Pantry, Crawford County Department of Human Services.

The DTE Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of DTE Energy, continuing the legacy of community support and involvement of its principal operating subsidiaries, Detroit Edison and MichCon.  The Foundation directs its contributions and involvement to support initiatives dedicated to developing the human and economic potential of the communities it serves. Grants are awarded under the foundation's "LEAD" guidelines: leadership, education, environment, achievement, development and diversity in the DTE Energy service territory, which includes southeast, western and northern Michigan. The DTE Energy Foundation is fully funded by the shareholders of DTE Energy.

SOURCE DTE Energy