Consumers Energy Foundation Announces $500,000 Awarded to Cristo Rey Community Center, Roscommon County United Way

Rhea-AI Summary

The Consumers Energy Foundation has announced two grants totaling $500,000 to Cristo Rey Community Center and Roscommon County United Way as part of its People Awards. These grants aim to enhance programs that address basic needs and economic security for Michigan residents. Cristo Rey received $250,000 for infrastructure improvements to its food and personal needs pantries, while Roscommon County United Way received $250,000 to establish a mobile soup kitchen for low-income residents. This initiative is part of the Foundation's broader commitment, with a total of $1.5 million allocated in 2022.

Positive

• The Consumers Energy Foundation awarded $500,000 in grants to two organizations, enhancing community support.
• Cristo Rey Community Center received $250,000 for improving food pantry infrastructure.
• Roscommon County United Way received $250,000 to establish a mobile soup kitchen, aiding low-income residents.

Negative

• None.

JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumers Energy Foundation announced two grants today totaling $500,000 for two organizations — Cristo Rey Community Center in Lansing and Roscommon County United Way — in its third year of People Awards disbursements. The Consumers Energy Foundation's People Awards support nonprofit organizations working to provide economic security for Michigan residents through programs and services centered on basic needs, education and workforce readiness.

"The Consumers Energy Foundation is proud to support programs and initiatives that have a direct impact on our neighbors and the communities we serve," said Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. "These contributions will enable two incredible organizations to expand the work they're doing to meet the needs of Michiganders."

The two People Awards recipients chosen from more than 100 applicants are:

• Cristo Rey Community Center ($250,000), Lansing
• The funding supports basic needs assistance programs through physical infrastructure improvements that will increase the capacity and accessibility of their food and personal needs pantries.
• Roscommon County United Way ($250,000), Houghton Lake
• The funding supports the establishment of a mobile soup kitchen program that will provide meals to county residents living within or below the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) threshold. Additionally, grant funds will support other local food pantries through infrastructure improvements to increase capacity and impact.

"We at Cristo Rey Community Center are humbled by the Consumers Energy Foundation's significant investment in the work we do.  Their support will create lasting change for our organization, the Greater Lansing Area, and more significantly, the underserved, vulnerable population that benefit from our health, counseling, and food access programs," said Joe Garcia, Chief Executive Officer of Cristo Rey Community Center. "With this gift, we can grow our services, increase distribution, and enhance existing partnerships in order to better meet the needs of our community.  Our organization has witnessed a sharp increase in need for services and in order to meet those needs, committed partnerships are essential.  We look forward to this partnership with the Consumers Energy Foundation and to the tremendous changes that will come as a result of their generosity and concern for people in a community we are both deeply invested in."

"It is difficult to find the right words to express the gratitude we feel for this extraordinarily generous grant," said Cherrie Benchley, Executive Coordinator for Roscommon County United Way. "It will bring an incredibly positive change to our communities and the families we serve. Thank you hardly seems adequate to express our appreciation. We are very grateful"

The People Awards are the final of three signature grant allocations in 2022 totaling $1.5 million. The Foundation previously awarded Planet Awards and Prosperity Awards  to support nonprofit efforts that protect Michigan's environment and support economic development.

The Consumers Energy Foundation is the charitable arm of Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider. The Foundation contributes to the growth and strengthening of Michigan communities by investing in what's most important — our people, our planet and Michigan's prosperity. In 2021, the Consumers Energy Foundation, Consumers Energy, its employees and retirees contributed over $17.5 million to Michigan nonprofits. 

Consumers Energy is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consumersenergy 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumers-energy-foundation-announces-500-000-awarded-to-cristo-rey-community-center-roscommon-county-united-way-301651793.html

SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What did Consumers Energy Foundation announce on October 18, 2022?

On October 18, 2022, Consumers Energy Foundation announced two grants totaling $500,000 to Cristo Rey Community Center and Roscommon County United Way.

How much funding did Cristo Rey Community Center receive?

Cristo Rey Community Center received $250,000 for infrastructure improvements to enhance its food and personal needs pantries.

What is the purpose of the grants awarded by Consumers Energy Foundation?

The grants support nonprofit organizations in Michigan focused on providing economic security through basic needs assistance, education, and workforce readiness.

What will Roscommon County United Way do with its grant?

Roscommon County United Way will use its $250,000 grant to establish a mobile soup kitchen and improve local food pantry infrastructure.

How much total funding has Consumers Energy Foundation allocated in 2022?

Consumers Energy Foundation has allocated a total of $1.5 million in grant funding in 2022.