EMERGENCY FOOD & SHELTER PROGRAM
EMERGENCY FOOD & SHELTER PROGRAM
WHAT IS THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM?
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The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) is a Federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This program has been entrusted through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 (PL 100-77) “to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services” for people who are hungry and homeless across the nation. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chairs, the National Board, and United Way Worldwide is the fiscal agent and staff for the program.
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Emergency Food and Shelter dollars are earmarked for local nonprofit organizations that support essential services that help hungry, at-risk and homeless families, and those in immediate crisis.
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In St. Joseph County, Emergency Food and Shelter funds are unique because they assist families up to 250% of the poverty level, while most assistance caps at 150% poverty. Consequently, these dollars are critical for the underemployed and newly unemployed families in our community, as these people traditionally are faced with more difficulty gaining assistance.
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FUNDS ARE USED TO HELP STRUGGLING ST. JOSEPH COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH:
• Food – Food pantries, served meals, emergency shelter meals
• Shelter – Utilities, rent, mortgage, emergency weather shelter
• Utilities – One utility assist in each category per year
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