State of Maryland Awarded More Than $2 Million
Congressman Steny Hoyer today announced that Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties have been awarded a total of $569,027 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter (EFS) Program.
This funding will support social service agencies in more than 2,500 cities and counties across the country to help feed and shelter our state's hungry and homeless. EFS funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies.
"I am pleased that Maryland will be the recipient of these needed federal funds, particularly as the temperature begins to drop," said Congressman Hoyer. "This funding will supplement the outstanding work of local social service organizations within Maryland and will provide them with additional resources to serve the people of our state in need of emergency assistance."
The EFS Program, entering its twenty-second year, is administered by a national board of volunteer agencies and chaired by FEMA. The National Board qualifies local jurisdictions for annual EFS awards based on criteria involving current population, unemployment, and poverty levels. Awarded shares are disbursed by local affiliates of the National Board to nonprofit organizations and government agencies in the eligible jurisdictions. In addition, 8% of the year's total EFS appropriation was set aside by the National Board for state grants to aid the needy in jurisdictions that did not otherwise qualify for assistance.
Anne Arundel County will receive $174,292 in federal grant funds. The following individual is the contact for the Anne Arundel County Local Board:
Name: Marjorie Bennett
Org.: Department of Social Services
Telephone: 410-269-4608
Prince George's County will receive $394,735 in federal grant funds. The following individual is the contact for the Prince George's County Local Board:
Name: Robin Gray
Org.: Prince George's County Department of Social Services
Telephone: 301-909-6346
Information on the EFS Program grants for FY 2005 ("Phase 23" of the EFS Program) is available on-line at www.efsp.unitedway.org.