JACKSON, Mich., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Feeding the hungry and housing the homeless in Michigan are two challenges that Consumers Energy's 68 interns responded to this summer. Fundraising activities by interns resulted in donations from utility employees of nearly $5,000 to benefit the less fortunate served by 14 nonprofits in the state. In addition to monetary donations, interns collected 200 canned goods and 230 toiletry items for nonprofits. Nonprofit recipients include: Battle Creek-based South Central Michigan Food Bank; American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids; Feeding America - West Michigan, located in Comstock Park; American Red Cross of Northwest Michigan in Traverse City; Habitat for Humanity projects in Lansing and Jackson; and the Jackson Interfaith Shelter, Aware Women's Shelter, and Salvation Army, all based in Jackson. "This voluntary program provides summer interns an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between Consumers Energy and the communities we serve," said Bryan Friedrich, senior human resources consultant for Consumers Energy. Fund-raising activities included penny wars, a pie contest, silent auction for home-crafted birdhouses, a food drive and a golf scramble. 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 http://www.consumersenergy.com/ DATASOURCE: Consumers Energy CONTACT: Dan Bishop, +1-517-788-2395, or Jeff Holyfield, +1-517-788-2394 Web Site: http://www.consumersenergy.com/

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