The Salvation Army and Consumers Energy to Receive Joint Energy Award

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After many years of significant collaboration between The Salvation Army and electric and gas utility companies across the nation, The Salvation Army will present an annual recognition award to outstanding examples of such collaborations which jointly manage a utility affordability program, acknowledging the importance of these programs which provide energy assistance to our most vulnerable citizens in times of great need.  

The recipients of the inaugural certificates are Consumers Energy and PeopleCare, a joint utility affordability program of the Western Michigan and Northern Indiana and the Eastern Michigan Divisions of The Salvation Army. In 2010, Consumers Energy customers, employees and retirees contributed more than $842,000 to PeopleCare to assist more than 4,800 Michigan households. PeopleCare helps provide emergency aid for items such as groceries, clothing, prescriptions, rent or mortgage payments. In 2011, Consumers Energy plans to contribute $1.5 million in energy bill credits to help cover the cost of electricity and natural gas for those in need.

"Because the number of people needing assistance has grown due to Michigan's economy, we are providing an additional $1 million in Corporate Giving this year to The Salvation Army," said John Russell, president and chief executive officer of Consumers Energy. "The Salvation Army, which determines eligibility for bill credits and assistance and distributes the aid, will use the added funds to provide long-term case management assistance to help improve household and financial stability," Russell added.

"We are delighted to honor the work of both Consumers Energy and the PeopleCare program with this award," said National Social Services Secretary Major Betty A. Israel. "We are equally pleased that we have a wonderful opportunity to provide programs and services that directly assist our neighbors in need," Major Israel added.

Representatives of Consumers Energy and PeopleCare will be in attendance to receive the award from the National Social Services Secretary Major Betty A. Israel. The award will be presented at the National Fuel Fund Network Annual Meeting during the National Energy and Utility Affordability Conference, Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, June 28, 2011 at 8:00 a.m.

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 nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.  For more information, go to www.consumersenergy.com.

SOURCE Consumers Energy