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CMS Energy Provides $50,000 to the Food Bank Council of Michigan From United Way Supported Funds

Posted on: Tuesday, 26 May 2009, 04:00 CDT

Grant will provide nearly 400,000 pounds of food in the fight against hunger while supporting Michigan farmers

LANSING, Mich., May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) received a $50,000 grant from CMS Energy to help fund its Michigan Agricultural Surplus System (MASS) program.

The grant will provide nearly 400,000 pounds of food to help feed the hungry in Michigan. This year has proven to be a challenge for the state's food banks, with the demand for food rising 30 percent on average. FBCM already has spent more than 70 percent of its annual MASS budget in just five months in an attempt to fill the gap between increased demand and funding.

"In this declining economy, Michigan food banks have really taken a hit and are struggling to meet the increased demand for food," said Jane Marshall, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan. "This grant will help us maintain the MASS program throughout the year, supporting farmers and continuing to fight hunger in Michigan."

The financial support comes from a United Way donor-advised charitable fund set up by CMS Energy, which is based in Jackson, Mich.

David Mengebier, CMS Energy's senior vice president of governmental and public affairs, said the company's ongoing support of the United Way reflects one of its philanthropic priorities, helping those in need.

"Providing food to a hungry person is a true act of kindness and caring. Helping those in need is always important, but it is crucial in these difficult economic times. CMS Energy supports the United Way, and the groups that rely upon it, because they are making a difference in people's lives every day," he said.

MASS is a partnership between Michigan food banks, the agricultural community and food processors, working together to obtain agricultural surplus for Michigan food banks. The Michigan-grown products are distributed to local pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.

The grant will assist the MASS program in continuing its mission of supporting Michigan farmers and growers in feeding hungry residents. The donation will provide funding for more than 60,000 pounds of asparagus, 163,000 pounds of spring greens, 92,000 pounds of tomatoes and 81,000 pounds of squash to be distributed to food banks across the state.

About FBCM

The Food Bank Council of Michigan is a statewide organization committed to the alleviation of hunger in Michigan and around the nation. Serving as a statewide leadership for food banks, FBCM provides a central, single voice to the issue of hunger. For more information on the Food Bank Council of Michigan please visit www.fbcmich.org.

About CMS Energy

CMS Energy is the parent company of Consumers Energy, an electric and natural gas utility that provides natural gas and electricity to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. CMS Energy also owns and operates independent power generation businesses.

SOURCE The Food Bank Council of Michigan

Source: PR Newswire

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