CUELLAR: JOBS BILL PROVIDES $53,204 TO HELP WEBB COUNTY FAMILIES AFFORD FOOD AND HOUSING

NEW FUNDING WILL SUPPORT UNITED WAY EFFORTS TO HELP FAMILIES COPE WITH THE CHALLENGING ECONOMY

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Henry Cuellar today announced that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the job-creation bill that Congress passed earlier this year, has provided $53,204 in new funding to United Way agencies in Webb County.  The funds are provided through the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) and will help area families gain access to food, shelter, and other basic necessities.

“In today’s challenging economy, more and more families are finding it difficult to make ends meet at the end of the month,” Congressman Cuellar said.  “These funds will help Webb County families struggling in today’s economy to afford food and housing and to get back on the path to success.”

Congress created the Emergency Food and Shelter Program in 1983 to help meet the needs of hungry and homeless people throughout the United States and its territories by allocating federal funds for the provision of food and shelter.  During its 25 years of operation, the program has disbursed over $3.1 billion to over 12,000 local providers in more than 2,500 counties and cities.

EFSP funds can be used for a broad range of services, including mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through food pantries and food banks, one-month assistance with rent, mortgage and utility payments to prevent evictions, and transition assistance from shelters to stable living conditions. ESFP’s objectives are to allocate funds to the neediest areas; to ensure fast response; to foster public-private sector partnerships; to ensure local decision-making; and to maintain minimal but accountable reporting.

Further details of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program are available online at http://www.efsp.unitedway.org/efsp/pages/about.htm .

###

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Government Oversight & Reform Committees in the 111 th Congress.  Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and m ember of the Blue Dog Coalition.