The State of Washington will receive $4,471,443 from FEMA's Emergency Food and Shelter Program. The money will be distributed in 34 counties to help nonprofit and local government agencies feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and prevent hunger and homelessness during fiscal year 2010.
"The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is a good example of how the federal government can forge public/private partnerships to help communities help themselves and assist thousands of people facing non-disaster emergencies," said FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger. "It's grassroots-driven and tailored to local needs."
FEMA chairs a National Board composed of representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, Council of Jewish Federations, National Council of Churches, The Salvation Army and United Way of America. The board develops each year's distribution plan based on unemployment and poverty rates with local boards deciding on final funding distribution. These local boards advertise the availability of funds, establish local priorities, select the nonprofit and government agencies to receive the funding and monitor program compliance.
State set-aside committees receive funds based upon the number of unemployed people in localities within their state that do not qualify under the National Board's criteria.
For more information about the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, visit: http://www.efsp.unitedway.org