UNITED TO HELP
The United Way of Westchester and Putnam is accepting applications from nonprofits serving Putnam County for Phase 40 of the Emergency Food and Shelter Funds available through the Local Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Boards. This program provides federal funding, which helps to extend currently available services for the hungry and homeless. The deadline for submission of completed applications is 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28.
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board, which is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security”™s Federal Emergency Management Agency, awarded Putnam County $7,998 for Phase 40.
United Way of Westchester and Putnam is the administrative agency of the Local Emergency Food and Shelter Program in Westchester County and Putnam County.
It delivers weekly food parcels with books and activities to 700 low-income families with school-aged children in Westchester and Putnam this summer and will also provide backpacks filled with school supplies to each school-age child. The program, which partners with Feeding Westchester in Westchester County and the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley in Putnam County, launched on July 11 and will run through Aug. 23.
“During these times of high inflation, where everyone”™s dollar is worth less, it is essential that we help families that were already struggling to make ends meet,” said Faith Ann Butcher, chief impact officer at United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “This program helps alleviate food insecurity, reduces summer learning loss and eases the parents”™ or caregivers”™ financial burden brought on by the back-to-school season.”