Archived News Release: March 30, 2021 - The City of Ann Arbor is partnering with Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels at Michigan Medicine and DTE Energy to distribute home energy efficiency kits to approximately 260 homebound households served by Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels. The partnership, which stems from the city's A2ZERO Carbon Neutrality work, focuses on helping homebound residents lower energy costs, maintain indoor health and comfort and reduce energy and water waste.
Included in each kit are LED lights and nightlights, a water-efficient showerhead and faucet aerator, weather stripping, water heater pipe wrapping and a door draft stopper. Each kit also contains information about additional services or techniques available to save money by reducing energy and water waste.
“The city is delighted to partner with Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels and DTE to bring these energy and water-saving devices to our community," said Dr. Missy Stults, Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations manager. “Helping improve the indoor comfort and health of our residents is of paramount importance as we work to achieve a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality."
DTE donated the energy efficiency kits to the city for allocation to Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels clients. The city's office of sustainability and innovations added some additional products to the kits, including information about the city's climate and equity plan, A2ZERO.
“Helping people in need is a priority for DTE," said Lynette Dowler, vice president of public affairs, DTE Energy. “Partnerships like the one with the City of Ann Arbor and Meals on Wheels empower us to protect customers, help them lower their energy costs, and help ensure a clean energy future. DTE offers many energy-saving programs to help our customers manage their energy use, and we continue to take steps to increase our investments in renewable energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions as we pursue our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050."
Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels, a program of Community Health Services at Michigan Medicine, seeks to reduce hunger and food insecurity in a culturally responsive manner for those who are homebound in the Ann Arbor area and are unable to shop and prepare complete, nutritious meals for themselves because of their health.
“Aging in place is a significant area of focus for Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels. We are grateful to the City of Ann Arbor and DTE for providing these kits that will have a tangible impact on several quality of life, environmental and financial factors for the individuals that we serve," said Courtney Vanderlaan, director of Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels.
Community members who are suffering for energy, water or food insecurity and in need of services can contact Washtenaw County Community and Economic Development: https://www.washtenaw.org/569/Community-Economic-Development.
About City of Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor has 119,000 residents, spans 28.9 square miles and is frequently recognized as a foremost place to live, learn, work, thrive and visit. To keep up with City of Ann Arbor information, subscribe for email updates, follow us on Twitter or become a city fan on Facebook. The city's mission is to deliver exceptional services that sustain and enhance a vibrant, safe and diverse community.
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.2 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com.
# # # # #
