EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER GRANTS ACROSS FOUR REGIONS

The recipients of this year’s Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) funds have been selected, supporting vital services across Greater Bridge-port, Greater Norwalk, northern Fairfield County, and the city of Stamford. Established in 1983, the EFSP aims to supplement and expand the efforts of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, to assist individuals and fami-lies facing economic emergencies. United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut supports the administration of the EFSP in Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport and Danbury, coordinating local re-view boards, accepting and reviewing applica-tions and distributing funding.

Organizations awarded EFSP funds are integral to addressing the critical needs of communities. These funds will be used to provide food, shelter and essential services, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support necessary to overcome economic hardships. The commitment and dedication of these organizations are vital in the collective effort to support individuals and families in crisis.

In Bridgeport, awards were made to 22 organ-izations, totaling $182,798. They include:

• Alliance for Community Empowerment
• Area Congregations Together
• Bridgeport Rescue Mission
• Central CT Coast YMCA
• Connecticut Institute for Refugees & Immigrants
• First Baptist Church of Stratford, CT – Agape Food Pantry
• Homes for the Brave
• Jewish Family Services of Fairfield Country
• PT Partners
• Recovery Network of Programs
• The Salvation Army of Greater Bridgeport
• The Salvation Army of the Greater Valley
• Sterling House Community Center
• St. John’s Family Center
• St. Vincent de Paul of the Valley
• TEAM
• The Center for Family Justice
• Thomas Merton Family Center
• United Way of Coastal and Western CT

In Danbury, awards were made to 11 organi-zations, totaling $55,634 and include:

• Association of Religious Communities
• Apex Community Care
• Community Action Agency of Western CT
• CT Foodshare
• Daily Bread
• Family & Children’s Aid
• Interfaith AIDS of Greater Danbury
• REACH Western CT
• Road to Home at Amos House
• Renewal House
• The New American Dream Foundation
• United Way of Coastal and Western CT

In Norwalk, awards were made to nine organ-izations, totaling $67,556:

• Alliance for Community Empowerment
• Domestic Violence Crisis Center
• Homes with Hope
• Jewish Family Service of Fairfield County
• Open Door Shelter
• Person to Person
• The Salvation Army of Norwalk
• Filling in the Blanks
• United Way of Coastal and Western CT

In Stamford, awards were made to 15 organi-zations, totaling $91,399.

• Boys & Girls Club of Stamford
• CT Foodshare
• Community Action Agency of Western CT
• Domestic Violence Crisis Center
• Domus Kids
• Family Centers
• Filling in the Blanks
• Inspirica
• Jewish Family Service of Fairfield County
• New Covenant Center
• Pacific House
• Person to Person
• SilverSource
• The Salvation Army of Stamford
• Women’s Mentoring Network
• United Way of Coastal and Western CT

United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut (UWCWC) empowers low-to-moderate-income households to thrive by mobilizing the resources of local communities to create lasting change. UWCWC leverages evidence-based strategies and strategic partnerships to improve outcomes in three key focus areas — education and child care, health and food security, financial stability and basic needs —while creating systemic change for the 40% of families living at or below the ALICE® threshold (As-set Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). UWCWC serves 27 communities across Fairfield and Southern Litchfield counties, including the cities of Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stam-ford, and the towns of Bethel, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Kent, Mon-roe, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sher-man, Stratford, Trumbull, Warren, Washington, Westport, Wilton, and Weston, Connecticut.