Itasca County Local Board Awards $28,426 in EFSP Funds

Did you know that United Way of 1000 Lakes administers the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for Itasca County? The program provides federal funds to community organizations to help people in times of crisis and to provide prevention services that help people avoid crisis.

The EFSP was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, to help people with economic (not disaster-related) emergencies. United Way serves as the convener of a Local Board responsible for reviewing applications and determining the distribution of funds each year.

Local human service agencies must meet eligibility criteria before applying for a portion of the $28,426 award.  Funds are used to provide served meals or emergency groceries, lodging in shelters or hotels, and emergency rent and mortgage assistance, foreclosure prevention, and utility assistance.

Organizations receiving grants this year are Grace House ($10,000); Second Harvest Food Bank ($5,000); Community Café ($10,000); United Way of Northeast Minnesota Buddy Backpack Program ($2,857). United Way of 1000 Lakes will receive an administrative allowance ($569).

“United Way’s facilitation of EFSP funds has helped serve thousands of meals over the years,” stated John Weber, executive director of the Community Café. “We are incredibly fortunate to have an organization filled with people who are so dedicated to helping our community.”

For more information on accessing available services, contact First Call/211 by dialing 2-1-1 on your phone.

Learn more:   Press Release