CRANSTON, RI – In an effort to fight poverty and provide critical assistance to struggling families, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced $680,848 in federal funding to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in Rhode Island.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) will support local social service agencies and food pantries in providing food, rent, and utility assistance to individuals faced with non-disaster related emergencies.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was created by Congress in response to a national recession in 1983.

“We must do everything we can to create jobs and spur economic growth, but we also need to continue providing support to families in crisis.  This federal grant will help local non-profits put food on the table and provide shelter for those in need,” said Reed, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The EFSP program is designed to give local communities flexibility in determining how best to direct these resources to assist families with the greatest need.  Providence County is being awarded $421,727 in EFSP funding and $259,121 will be granted to the Rhode Island State Set-Aside Committee, which may award money to additional communities throughout the state.  In each community receiving federal money, a local board advertises the availability of funding, establishes priorities, selects local non-profit or government organizations that will get the money, and ensures that all groups are in compliance.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program’s national board includes representatives from several groups, including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Jewish Federations of North America, Catholic Charities, and the United Way of America.  Since its inception 29 years ago, more than $3.8 billion in federal EFSP aid has been disbursed to communities throughout the nation.

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