Apr 26, 2024 3 min read

United Way of Washington County and the Washington County Local Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program announces the distribution of $87,250 in funding to local organizations to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food and supportive services to people who are hungry, homeless and in economic crisis. The EFSP is a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. To be eligible, applicants had to be nonprofit organizations, churches or units of government that have demonstrated the ability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs. The following funds were awarded:

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh: $5,000 for other foods

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA: $4,252 for mass shelter

Food Helpers/Greater Washington County Food Bank: $10,333 for other foods

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank: $4,252 for other foods

North Ten Mile Baptist Church: $10,337 for other foods

SPHS Connect, Inc.: $10,333 for mass shelter

The LeMoyne Community Center: $10,000 for served meals

The Salvation Army (Mon Valley): $10,332 for rent and mortgage assistance

The Salvation Army (Washington): $10,333 for utility assistance

Washington City Mission: $10,333 for served meals

UWWC: $1,745 to administer the program.

The funds will be distributed directly to the agencies by the EFSP National Board. Program funds are used to provide the following: food, in the form of served meals or groceries, lodging in a mass shelter or hotel, up to three months’ rent for clients if needed to maintain housing, up to three months of utility bill payments for clients if needed to prevent disconnection of services and supplies or equipment needed to feed or shelter people.

United Way of Washington County took the lead and administered the program in 2022 after an 11-year absence in Washington County. A total of $613,842 in EFSP funds have been distributed in Washington County since 2022. UWWC also served as the Local Board Chair of the local EFSP Board, which reviewed the applications.

“The Emergency Food and Shelter Program has been such a great additional source of funding for Washington County nonprofits who are providing served meals, other food, rent, mortgage and utility assistance, homeless services and shelter nights,” says P. Ann Hrabik, Executive Director of UWWC and EFSP Local Board Chair. “The United Way of Washington County is proud to serve as the lead in Washington County for this federal program that has brought much-needed funds into our community.” Anyone seeking assistance with food, shelter or utility payments should contact one of the organizations listed above. For more information about the EFSP, visit efsp.unitedway.org. For more information about United Way of Washington County, visit unitedwaywashco.org.