CENTRALIA — Ameren Illinois President Richard Mark has announced the company has donated $25,000 to BCMW Community Services to help customers with their energy bills. Grants of up to $500 will be available to local residents who meet income eligibility guidelines.

The BCMW Community Services will use this grant to help households who are between 150 percent and 250 percent of the 2015 Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Households may receive hardship grants that will be applied to their Ameren Illinois account. If your household has experienced hardship due to loss of income, illness or death, please call BCMW Community Services for more information.

In Bond County call 664-3309, in Clinton County 526-7123, Marion County call 532-7388, and in Washington County call 327-8476.

The grant to BCMW is part of $1 million total in energy assistance that Ameren Illinois is awarding to 26 angencies across its service territory. Through its Ameren Cares Program, Ameren Illinois is investing in non-profit organizations and mobilizing its employees to support local charitable causes. In 2015, Ameren Illinois donated $1 million to military families, seniors, low-income customers, and social service organizations to help them offset their energy costs.

The company also offers several programs to help customers with bill payment and financial support, including Warm Neighbors Cool Friends, Energy Efficiency Incentives, and Budget Billing.