When temperatures drop, energy consumption rises, leading to an increase in requests for heating assistance. MidAmerican Energy Co. recently announced that its customers last year donated a total of $237,408 through the company’s I CARE program, which MidAmerican matched by 25 percent to reach a total of $296,760. The program raises funds for local agencies that assist individuals who are unemployed, living on fixed or low incomes or experiencing a family crisis. The agencies use the funds to help residents pay their heating bills or make their homes more energy efficient. Customers may make donations through a designation on their monthly bill or by filling out an online form.