"It is appropriate during this season of giving to remember those that are less fortunate," said Rep. Porter. "I appreciate the work of the Homeland Security Department and FEMA in providing the necessary means to help our community feed the hungry, assist the poor and shelter the homeless in the coming year," he said.
The funding was made available by Congress for the Emergency Food and Shelter (EFS) Program to support social service agencies in more than 2,500 cities and counties across the country. EFS funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies.
The EFS Program, entering its twenty-second year, is administered by a national board of volunteer agencies chaired by FEMA. The national board qualifies jurisdictions for annual EFS funding awards based on criteria involving current population, unemployment and poverty levels. Grants are awarded to non-profit community and government organizations that are chosen by local boards in the respective jurisdictions.
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