Local board distributes $155,337 in Emergency Food and Shelter Funding to community!

efsp

Indiana County Local Advisory Board approves 13 awards for the Emergency Food and Shelter Funding.

Eviction prevention programs, food pantries, and homeless shelters for men and women are among the areas of need being addressed by grants just awarded through the Emergency Food and Shelter Fund. Funds will be distributed to help local programs serve at-risk individuals and families in the Indiana County community.

13 awards were approved at the Local Advisory Board meeting for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program providing $155,337 in federal funding to Indiana County nonprofit programs that will serve approximately 11,903 individuals in the coming year. Each project met the criteria under one of six grant categories: Rent/Mortgage Assistance, Utility Assistance, Mass Shelter, Served Meals and Food Pantries.

United Way of Indiana County serves as the convener of the Local Advisory Board which is composed of 13 volunteers dedicated to reviewing applications and recommending funding allocations to eligible organizations, as specified under the National Board guidelines. Local Board members are representatives of constituencies and organizations as required by the National EFSP program, including the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, United Way of Indiana County, and local government, along with other nonprofits, businesses, educators, and human service representatives. 

Executive Director of United Way of Indiana County, Jane Lockard-Clawson, says "The EFSP funds are a great resource for the local organizations of Indiana County to help support individuals and families during these difficult and uncertain times. We are grateful to be able to disperse them for much-needed programs in our community." The disbursement of these funds to local organizations is essential in order to combat the struggles our community faces.

The following organizations were granted Emergency Food and Shelter Funding:

  • Chevy Chase Community Center was granted $8,330 for served meals. If you are looking for hot meals and community lunches, call the Chevy Chase Community Center at 724-463-0674.

  • The Indiana County Community Action Program was granted $103,721 for Rent/Mortgage, Utilities, and Food services. For more information or questions about resources provided by the Indiana County Community Action Program, call 724-463-7440.

  • The Salvation Army was granted $31,850 for Rent/Mortgage, Utilities, and Food services. For more information or questions regarding the services provided by the Salvation Army, call 724-465-2530. 

  • The Alice Paul House was granted $8,330 for emergency shelter support. For more information or questions regarding the Alice Paul House, call 724-349-4444.

If you or someone you know if seeking help in any of these areas, call 2-1-1 for professional, expert advice and care. PA 211 is a tool powered by real people - trained care specialists who work to identify resources for anyone struggling to find programs/services in their community.  Looking for food resources in the community, visit here.

About the Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

Created in 1983, the Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds are made available through the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. 

The funding is used to supplement and expand the work of local service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, in an effort to help people with economic emergencies. The EFSP funding is open to all organizations helping to address food insecurity, individuals experiencing homelessness, and expand rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts. 

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