WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Savannah) has said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded grants totaling $162,714 to ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and support services to Chatham, Bryan and Liberty County residents.
The funding is part of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
"This grant will continue the good work already being done here," Kingston said. "This grant, combined with the generosity of residents in and around Savannah, Richmond Hill and Hinesville, will help get folks back on their feet and provide support to those who really need it."
The grant was approved by the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board, chaired by FEMA and composed of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America. The funding will be used for 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.
"These funds come to our community at a critical time and will be prioritized to help individuals most in need," said Gregg Schroeder, president of United Way of the Coastal Empire. "Many of our local United Way agencies including America's Second Harvest Food Bank, Greenbriar Children's Center, S.A.F.E. Shelter, Salvation Army, Senior Citizens and Union Mission rely on this funding to help families in emergency situations."
The United Way of the Coastal Empire will receive $119,140, Bryan County will get $12,874 and $30,700 will go for services in Liberty County. Each local board will advertise the availability of the funds, establish local priorities, select local non-profit and government agencies to receive supplemental funding, and monitor 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.
"Liberty County really appreciates the funds and will use them to the best of our abilities to help the most people," said Leah Poole, Executive Director of the United Way of the Coastal Empire, Liberty County.
The EFS Program has been in existence since 1983 and was authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. More than $4.3 million will be disbursed in Georgia this year.
The funding is part of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
"This grant will continue the good work already being done here," Kingston said. "This grant, combined with the generosity of residents in and around Savannah, Richmond Hill and Hinesville, will help get folks back on their feet and provide support to those who really need it."
The grant was approved by the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board, chaired by FEMA and composed of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America. The funding will be used for 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.
"These funds come to our community at a critical time and will be prioritized to help individuals most in need," said Gregg Schroeder, president of United Way of the Coastal Empire. "Many of our local United Way agencies including America's Second Harvest Food Bank, Greenbriar Children's Center, S.A.F.E. Shelter, Salvation Army, Senior Citizens and Union Mission rely on this funding to help families in emergency situations."
The United Way of the Coastal Empire will receive $119,140, Bryan County will get $12,874 and $30,700 will go for services in Liberty County. Each local board will advertise the availability of the funds, establish local priorities, select local non-profit and government agencies to receive supplemental funding, and monitor 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.
"Liberty County really appreciates the funds and will use them to the best of our abilities to help the most people," said Leah Poole, Executive Director of the United Way of the Coastal Empire, Liberty County.
The EFS Program has been in existence since 1983 and was authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. More than $4.3 million will be disbursed in Georgia this year.