The Consumers Energy Foundation is supporting Michigan communities and an innovative solution to protect healthcare workers with over $600,000 in grants to help the continuing battle against COVID-19. These grants plus the $500,000 donations announced in March bring the Foundation’s contribution to COVID-19 support to over $1 million.
Consumers Energy has also enhanced its Matching Gifts Program focusing on matching employee contributions to food banks/pantries, homeless shelters, community foundations and the United Way. Through May 31, 2020, donations from CMS and Consumers Energy employees will be matched without restriction.
Consumers Energy also announced the suspension of shut-offs for non-pay for low-income and senior customers through April 5, 2020, with the possibility of adjusting that timeframe depending on the spread and severity of COVID-19. Senior citizens and qualified low-income customers already enrolled in the Winter Protection Program have extended end dates through May 3, 2020.
Consumers Energy donated $14,000 in gift cards to United Way, which is already distributing them to local nonprofit agencies. The gift cards will be used by those agencies to help vulnerable residents meet specific, urgent needs—gasoline, energy needs, food and household essentials.