United Way Oversees $1.6 Million Grant from The Emergency Food and Shelter Program

Feb. 18, 2010 – United Way of Southern Nevada announces local nonprofits to benefit from $1.6 million Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) grant. A program of the federal government, EFSP meets the needs of hungry and homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless due to emergency and/or economic downturn.

“Agency programs meeting the basic and emergency service needs of our community are assisted through this grant, helping those in critical need of necessities such as food pantries and rental and utility assistance,” said Dan Goulet, President and CEO of United Way of Southern Nevada. “The program prevents dependency by providing emergency services to individuals and families on a limited basis so they can remain self-sufficient.”

The funding includes a public RFP application process by a government-mandated committee comprised of a broad cross-section of State and local government, corporate and nonprofit organizations. United Way serves as a committee member and secretariat of the funds, which come directly from the federal government.

The $1.6 million grant amount is a slight increase of the $1.5 million awarded in 2009, and reflects the increased needs of our community. Funds are appropriated annually and depend on the average number of unemployed individuals in Clark County including rural areas.

Organizations that will receive benefits from this year’s grant include Boys & Girls Clubs, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, HELP of Southern Nevada, Helping Hands of Vegas Valley, Las Vegas Urban League, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, Jewish Family Service Agency, The Salvation Army, Las Vegas Indian Center, The Shade Tree, ULAN, the R.O.S.E Foundation and United Methodist Social Ministry.

About the Emergency Food and Shelter Program

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) meets the needs of hungry and homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless due to emergency and/or economic downturn by allocating federal funds to supplement the work of local agencies providing food, shelter, and utility assistance. EFSP funds are used to provide served meals or groceries, lodging in a mass shelter or hotel, and one month’s rent, mortgage, or utility payment in a given year. The General Accounting Office found that EFSP is “the only source of funding for the prevention of homelessness” in most parts of the country, and recommended strengthening the program through increased federal investment.