FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) on behalf of the American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation is announcing more than a half million dollars in additional grants totaling more than $700,000 to help communities in Indiana and Michigan amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

As part of this additional funding the AEP Foundation is providing a gift of $200,000 to Community Harvest Food Bank as it helps those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The funds throughout Indiana and Michigan will be available to the local not-for-profits listed below to support basic human needs like housing assistance, shelter and food needs for those in need and senior citizens across I&M’s service territory.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts the communities we live and work in, I am proud to say that I&M is continuing to step up and help the people we serve,” said Toby Thomas, I&M President and Chief Operating Officer. “By partnering with local organizations, and through the generosity of the AEP Foundation, these efforts will have lasting benefits for the people and families in our region. Being there for our neighbors is what matters most to everyone at I&M.”

The following agencies will receive a donation in this round of giving from the AEP Foundation to help I&M’s neighbors and customers:

Indiana:

• Fort Wayne/Northeast Indiana Area:
  • Community Harvest Food Bank: $200,000
  • United Way of Allen County: $45,000
  • United Way of Noble County: $20,000
  • United Way of Adams County: $20,000
  • United Way of Wells, Whitley, DeKalb & Huntington Counties: $3,000 each
  • United Way of Steuben County: $2,000
     
• South Bend/Elkhart Area:
  • United Way of St. Joseph County: $43,000
  • United Way of Elkhart & LaGrange County: $22,000
     
• Muncie/Marion/East Central Indiana Area:
  • Pathstone (Delaware & Madison Counties): $35,000
  • Community & Family Services (Blackford, Jay, & Randolph Counties):  $10,000
  • Winchester Area Churches & Community Food Pantry:  $5,000
  • Lifestream Services (Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Jay, Madison, & Randolph Counties):  $18,000
  • Inside Out Community Development Center (Delaware County):  $10,000
  • St. Martin Community Center (Grant County):  $7,000
  • Affordable Housing (Grant County):  $15,000
     
• Southwest Indiana/Rockport Area:
  • Rockport Christian Resource Center: $5,000

Southwest Michigan:

• United Way of St. Joseph County: $20,000

• Berrien County Community Foundation: $31,000
• United Way of Southwest Michigan: $46,000
  • (The gifts listed above to the Berrien County Community Foundation and United Way of Southwest Michigan provide a total of $77,000 to support the Southwest Michigan Cares Fund.)

The AEP Foundation has committed $3 million to help charitable non-profit organizations across communities served by AEP in eleven states in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I&M understands people are struggling with their finances.  Disconnections for non-payment have been suspended to respect the impact this pandemic is having on the lives of Hoosiers and Michiganders.  I&M also has flexible payment options available to assist customers.

Customers should stay current with their utility account, and if they experience problems paying their bill, the may contact the customer care center by phone at 1-800-311-4634 or at www.indianamichiganpower.com or through Facebook or Twitter to discuss payment options.
 

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ABOUT THE AEP FOUNDATION: The American Electric Power Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and its utility operating units, including Indiana Michigan Power. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives involving higher dollar values and multi-year commitments in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area. The Foundation’s areas of focus include special emphasis on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education, protecting the environment, providing basic human services in the areas of hunger, housing, health and safety, and enriching life through art, music and cultural heritage. The Foundation is based in Columbus, Ohio.

ABOUT INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER: Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,100 employees serve more than 599,000 customers. More than two-thirds of its energy delivered in 2019 was emission-free.  I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 15 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.

News releases and other information about I&M are available at IndianaMichiganPower.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Brian E. Bergsma
Director, Government Affairs and Corporate Communications
Indiana Michigan Power
(317) 670-3561
bebergsma@aep.com