Consumers Energy makes contribution to TrueNorth Community Services for emergency assistance - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

Consumers Energy makes contribution to TrueNorth Community Services for emergency assistance

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SOURCE TrueNorth Community Services

FREMONT, Mich., Feb. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TrueNorth Community Services, an independent nonprofit agency that provides focused services to primarily rural residents in northern lower Michigan, announced that it has received a generous $1 million contribution from Consumers Energy. The announcement was made by Bev Cassidy, President and CEO of TrueNorth.

The contribution will be utilized to support and provide emergency assistance to Consumers Energy customers throughout TrueNorth's 34 county service region. The contribution will help to ensure the health and safety of low-income households by providing financial support for emergency assistance with natural gas and electric service and will be used to leverage additional assistance funds.

Cassidy spoke to the Consumers Energy contribution and its impact on TrueNorth's ability to serve. "Providing energy assistance to low-income households living in primarily rural counties of northern Michigan presents unique challenges. Low-income households in our service region spend between 15-30% of their income on household energy bills and are increasingly facing shut-offs," said Cassidy. "The generous contribution from Consumers Energy will allow us to serve approximately 2,500 Consumer Energy customers who are facing shut-offs. We sincerely appreciate and value Consumers Energy financial support and partnership to help rural Michigan residents in need."

Patti Poppe, vice president of customer experience and operations for Consumers Energy said, "Consumers Energy's promise to Michigan includes supporting and helping families in Michigan, particularly those in need.  We're pleased to work with TrueNorth on this important outreach effort."

About TrueNorth Community Services
TrueNorth Community Services is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that builds communities with many services but one mission. That mission is to guide families to independence, while building healthy communities. TrueNorth works to achieve this mission by addressing rural poverty, ensuring that youth thrive, building vibrant communities and providing innovative rural nonprofit leadership. Founded in 1972, TrueNorth continually improves a fluid and flexible array of services to ensure those served can find their own positive direction in life, their own true north. For additional information about TrueNorth, you are encouraged to visit www.truenorthservices.org or call (231) 924-0641.

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

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