U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, today announced that ten counties in Maine will share $347,251 in federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security. Senator Collins' committee has jurisdiction over FEMA.
"The Emergency Food and Shelter Program is truly a model program for bringing together non-profit groups at the federal and local level and it quickly and effectively provides services to those in need," said Senator Collins. "Each year, this program helps families throughout Maine and across America who are at risk of losing their homes or going hungry because of circumstances beyond their control. This program is successful because it gives communities the flexibility to determine how best to spend these resources and assist families with the greatest need."
Senator Collins has long been a supporter of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Since its creation, EFSP has provided a helping hand to local social service organizations that assist thousands of people in need of food and shelter. Those funds are distributed by the national board according to a formula that includes unemployment and poverty statistics in each county. Once local boards -- composed of individuals and organizations who live and work in the communities they serve -- in counties, parishes and municipalities across America receive the funding, they decide how to best address the needs of their communities. For example, many communities use these funds to supplement the efforts of local soup kitchens, Meals-on-Wheels programs, and food pantries or to address emergency shelter and housing needs.
The breakdown of funding being distributed is as follows:
• Androscoggin County… $43,968
• Aroostook County … $31,250
• Franklin County… $12,967
• Kennebec County… $44,035
• Knox County… $14,342
• Oxford County… $27,030
• Penobscot County… $61,020
• Piscataquis County… $7,767
• Somerset County… $25,185
• Washington County… $14,880
• State of Maine… $64,807
Total… $347,251
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