Press Release

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted Brown County $17,731 in federal funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter (EFS) Program.

"Congress recognizes the growing problem of hungry and homeless people across the nation," said Conaway. "This funding is allocated to the neediest areas, and ensures fast response and local decision making for food and shelter. I will work with local officials in Brown County to help keep our homeless and hungry safe and give them the support they need to get through their temporary hardships.

The funds are used to help individuals and families with non-disaster, temporary emergency needs. In each funded jurisdiction, a Local Board advertises the availability of the funds, establishes local priorities, selects local non-profit and government agencies to receive supplemental funding, and monitors program compliance.

The EFS Program has been in existence since 1983 and was authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. The EFS Program has distributed more than $2.952 billion to communities nationwide, and has accounted for millions of additional meals and nights of shelter to the hungry and homeless most in need across the nation.

Program funds are used to provide the following, as determined by the Local Board in funded jurisdictions: Food, in the form of served meals or groceries.

• Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel.
• One month's rent or mortgage payment.
• One month's utility bill.
• Minimal repairs to allow a mass feeding or sheltering facility to function during the program year.
• Equipment necessary to feed or shelter people, up to a $300 limit per item.

For more information on the EFS Program grants for 2007, please visit www.efsp.unitedway.org.