Make Every Penny Count For Michigan Families by Giving To The PeopleCare Program

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Oct 04, 2012, 06:00 ET

JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cold weather is heading to Michigan. For those in need, colder temperatures are a brisk reminder of the challenge of meeting basic needs. That's why The Salvation Army and Consumers Energy are teaming up to encourage customer contributions to the PeopleCare program.

About 10,000 families each year in Michigan receive emergency help of some kind through PeopleCare – everything from as simple as a bus ticket to a child's first pair of eyeglasses. With significant cuts in various public assistance programs, particularly federal programs, and the slow economic recovery for many lower income households, the need is expected to be great this year.

Consumers Energy will again provide $1.5 million dollars in energy bill credits to PeopleCare over the 2012-2013 heating season. A special PeopleCare appeal is featured in the utility's bill message being received in October by 2.9 million customers. In tandem with the customer appeal, an employee campaign will also run through October wherein the company has committed to match employee giving.

Consumers Energy customers can support PeopleCare's work of helping Michigan families through a variety of channels. You may donate $3 a month or make a one-time donation of $5 by checking one of the boxes at the top of your October utility bill. If you'd prefer to contribute a different amount, you can make an online donation at www.usc.salvationarmy.org/peoplecare, or write a check to PeopleCare and mail it to the address below:

PeopleCare
c/o The Salvation Army
PO Box 27518
Lansing, MI 48909

"Michigan's struggling economy has impacted all residents, especially those on limited income, our seniors, and the unemployed. With cold weather fast approaching and growing numbers of families receiving slimmer public assistance, it's a critical time for private help to step in and help fill gaps. Every penny to PeopleCare does just that, helping our families and neighbors with quick, direct assistance for any emergency need, skillfully assessed and delivered by The Salvation Army," said Whitney Skeans, Consumers Energy's customer assistance coordinator.

Since it was established in 1983, PeopleCare through the work of The Salvation Army has helped nearly 340,000 households in communities across Michigan. Consumers Energy employees and customers have donated over $16 million to support PeopleCare, and the utility has contributed $31.5 million in energy bill credits, for total support of $47.5 million dollars. To learn more about how the program works and read scenarios of families helped by PeopleCare, or to download a brochure, visit www.consumersenergy.com/peoplecare.

Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy, provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information regarding Consumers Energy, visit us at: www.consumersenergy.com or join us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan.

SOURCE Consumers Energy