United Way of Washington County (UWWC) and the Washington County Local Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) announces the distribution of $110,182 in funding to local organizations to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services to people who are hungry, homeless, and in economic crisis. The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is a Federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS/FEMA).
These funds were made available as part of Phase 40. In order to be eligible, applicants had to be nonprofit organizations, churches, or units of government that have demonstrated the ability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs. The following funds were awarded:
Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA - $17,996 for mass shelter
Food Helpers/Greater Washington County Food Bank - $6,300 for other foods
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank - $6,300 for other foods
North Ten Mile Baptist Church - $2,699 for other foods
SPHS Connect, Inc. - $17,996 for mass shelter
The LeMoyne Community Center - $5,999 for served meals
The Salvation Army (Mon Valley) - $17,412 for rent and mortgage assistance
The Salvation Army (Washington) - $17,412 for utility assistance
TRPIL - $3,866 for other food and supplies and equipment
Washington Christian Outreach - $5,999 for served meals
Washington City Mission - $5,999 for served meals
UWWC - $2,204 to administer the program
The funds will be distributed directly to the agencies by the EFSP National Board. Program funds are used to provide the following: food, in the form of served meals or groceries, lodging in a mass shelter or hotel, up to 3 months rent for clients if it is necessary to maintain housing, up to 3 months utility bill payments for clients if it is necessary to prevent disconnection of services, and supplies/equipment necessary to feed or shelter people. A jurisdiction may use up to 2% of its award for administrative purposes. United Way of Washington County took the lead and administered the program in 2022 after an eleven-year absence in Washington County. $416,410 in EFSP funds were distributed in Washington County in 2022 as part of Phase 39 and ARPAR. UWWC also served as chair of the local EFSP board which reviewed the applications.
“The Emergency Food and Shelter Program has been such a great additional source of funding for Washington County nonprofits who are providing served meals, other food, rent, mortgage and utility assistance, homeless services and shelter nights,” says P. Ann Hrabik, Executive Director of UWWC and EFSP Local Board Chair. “The United Way of Washington County is proud to serve as the lead in Washington County for this federal program that has brought much needed funds into our community.”
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established on March 24, 1983, with the signing of the "Jobs Stimulus Bill," Public Law 98-8. That legislation created a National Board, chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that consisted of representatives of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, The Jewish Federations of North America, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army and United Way Worldwide.
Anyone seeking assistance with food, shelter or utility payments should contact one of the organizations listed above. For more information about the EFSP, visit www.efsp.unitedway.org . For more information about United Way of Washington County, visit www.unitedwaywashco.org .