(Warwick, R.I.) - Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) today announced that $543,321 has been awarded to Rhode Island under the Emergency Food and Shelter (EFS) Program.  The Providence Census County area (which includes the City of Providence and several surrounding towns) will receive $395,583, and the Rhode Island State Set-Aside Committee will receive $147,738.  The Set-Aside Committee may select additional jurisdictions in the state to receive funding. 

“This funding is so critical to Rhode Island families in need, and to the organizations working tirelessly to assist them,” said Congressman Langevin, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.  “As our nation faces uncertain economic times, it is more important than ever that we provide basic resources to the most vulnerable in our communities.”

The EFS National Board, chaired by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and composed of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America, provides supplemental funding to shelters, soup kitchens, and food banks.  One-month awards for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance are also available.  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 Local Board’s composition mirrors the EFS Program National Board, with a local government official replacing FEMA and board members voting to select their chair.

The EFS Program has been in existence since 1983 and was authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.  With the FY 2008 allocation, more than $3.105 billion in federal aid will have been disbursed through the EFS Program since its inception to communities nationwide.  The program has accounted for millions of additional meals and nights of shelter to the hungry and homeless most in need across the nation.