For many Michigan families struggling to make ends meet, an unexpected problem can wash away the joy of the holidays.

Often, those families just need a bit of help to get by: A prescription for a sick child, a bag of groceries, or a tank of gas to get to work until the next paycheck.

Consumers Energy and The Salvation Army created PeopleCare to provide that help to individuals and families. In 2007, PeopleCare helped nearly 11,000 families across Michigan, providing food, shelter, clothing, and other emergency aid. The Salvation Army determines eligibility for energy bill credits and other help and distributes the aid.

In 2007, Consumers Energy provided $1.5 million in energy bill credits and the utility's customers and employees contributed more than $850,000 for PeopleCare. In 2008, the utility will again provide $1.5 million in energy bill credits.

Since it was established in 1983, PeopleCare - a joint effort of The Salvation Army and the utility - has helped 302,228 households in Michigan. Consumers Energy employees and customers have donated nearly $12.5 million to support PeopleCare and the utility has contributed $25.3 million in energy bill credits for total support of $37.8 million.

Consumers Energy customers can support PeopleCare's work of helping families and individuals by checking a box at the top of their January energy bills.

Customers may donate $3 a month or make a one-time donation of $5 by checking one of the boxes at the top of their January bill. If they'd like to contribute more each month, they can call 1-800-477-5050 and arrange to have the amount added to their bill. Other contributions may be sent to:

PeopleCare
Consumers Energy
Lansing, Mich. 48937-0001

"PeopleCare is focused on one goal: Helping people in need. Over the past 25 years, PeopleCare has helped thousands of households with quick, direct assistance. Consumers Energy and its employees are proud to support PeopleCare and to help those in need," said Debra Harmon, the utility's corporate customer assistance advocacy manager. To see 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 nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, visit our Website at www.consumersenergy.com .

Thu Dec 27 08:53:00 CST 2007