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February 26, 2008

R.I. to get $500,000-plus for emergency food, shelter

Rhode Island is getting $543,321 for emergency food and shelter for families in need, U.S. Rep. James Langevin, D-Rhode Island, announced today.

The money, awarded under the federal Emergency Food and Shelter program, breaks down to $395,583 for Providence and several surrounding communities, and $147,738 for the Rhode Island State Set-Aside Committee, which may award money to additional communities, according to Langevin.

“As our nation faces uncertain economic times, it is more important than ever that we provide basic resources to the most vulnerable in our communities," Langevin said in the statement.

The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and made up of representatives from organizations such as American Red Cross and Catholic Charities USA, provides money to shelters, soup kitchens and food banks. Also, it can provide one-month awards for rent, mortgage and utility assistance.

The money is used to help a person or people with non-disaster, temporary emergency situations.

In each community receiving money, a local board advertises the money availability, sets out local priorities, selects the local nonprofit and government agencies that will get the money, and keeps watch over program compliance.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 5:25 PM | Permalink

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