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I&M donates $8,000 to Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency

The HP Staff

Jan 15, 2021

The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (SMCAA) has announced receiving a donation of more than $8,000 from Indiana Michigan Power.

BENTON HARBOR — The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (SMCAA) has announced receiving a donation of more than $8,000 from Indiana Michigan Power.

The money will help the SMCAA address hunger issues in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties, according to a news release. Last year, the organization served more than 22,000 families and this donation will help further extend our helping hand in the Southwest Michigan community.

“As our agency pushes forward during this trying and unprecedented time, we are both humbled and honored for I&M’s continued support of Community Action. Their donation has been critical to the work we continue to do for the residents of Southwest Michigan,” said Kim Smith Oldham, the agency’s executive director, in the release. “As more and more individuals face challenges due to this pandemic, SMCAA is able to battle at the frontline in large part to their assistance and we want to express our great gratitude.”

The donation, with approval from the Michigan Public Service Commission, is related to changes in cost associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The TCJA took effect in December 2017 and resulted in the lowering of customer bills to reflect the impact of lower federal corporate income tax rates. After I&M customer bills reflected the impact of lower corporate income tax rates, I&M donated remaining funds to the SMCAA.

“The Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency facilitates change, provides hope and makes our communities a better place to live. All those goals align with our vision at I&M,” said Gina Kostoff, energy efficiency residential liaison manager. “I&M is dedicated to improving the lives of our communities and customers, and this donation ensures our neighbors have food for their families.”

The donation will go into The SMCAA’s Food Giveaway’s program which addresses the need of food during this crisis.

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