U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced today that Minnesota will receive $2,980,525 for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). The EFSP is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The funding will go to 30 counties across Minnesota to help provide food and shelter to families in need.

“We are entering the peak of the winter season, and many people need access to food and shelter,” said Klobuchar. “I have always believed that the first responsibility of government is to ensure the safety of its citizens. This funding will give local communities the ability to provide a warm bed and a hot meal to someone in need.”

Frank Forsberg, Senior Vice President at the Greater Twin Cities United Way added, “Greater Twin Cities United Way, serving the Twin Cities as part of a 9-county area is committed to supporting the safety net. There has been a 43% increase in visits to food shelves and the demands on shelter programs have grown significantly in the past year. Even though United Way raised additional emergency funds for food and housing programs in 2009, it is good news that the Federal Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA) fund is available again in 2010. These funds play a vital role in meeting the needs for food, shelter and rental assistance.”

EFSP funds were first authorized by Congress in 1983. They are appropriated annually under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act which is named after Minnesota Congressman Bruce Vento. Since its inception and with the FY 2010 allocation, the EFSP has given more than $3.6 billion to communities nationwide, and has accounted for millions of additional meals and nights of shelter to the hungry and homeless most in need across the nation.

The EFSP is administered by a National Board that is chaired by FEMA and includes representatives from United Way Worldwide; American Red Cross; Catholic Charities USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Jewish Federations of North America; and, The Salvation Army. The funds are used to help individuals and families with non-disaster, temporary emergency needs. One-month awards for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance are also available.

Hennepin and Ramsey Counties will receive $998,144. In each county, a Local Board composed of representatives that mirrors the organizations on the EFSP National Board determines how the funds are used to provide the following services:

• Food, in the form of served meals or groceries

• Lodging in a mass shelter or hotel

• One month’s rent, mortgage, and/or utility bill payment

• Transportation costs associated with the provision of food or shelter

• Minimal repairs to mass feeding or sheltering facilities for building code violations or for handicapped accessibility

• Supplies and equipment necessary to feed or shelter people, up to a $300 limit per item