WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Bill Delahunt today announced new federal assistance to help local human service organizations combat hunger and homelessness in Barnstable and Plymouth Counties.
Rep. Delahunt announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing two sizable allocations of federal funding for emergency food and shelter: $114,256 to Barnstable County and $247,655 for Plymouth County. These awards will be distributed to local non-profit agencies that provide direct aid to local residents who are facing an immediate crisis.
"This winter has been extremely challenging for many of the housing and human service organizations in our region that are working with families and individuals who are homeless," Delahunt said. "The cold weather, coupled with cuts in a number of federal housing and energy assistance programs has made it difficult for far too many people."
In awarding these grants, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) considers an area's population, unemployment and poverty rates. The priority is on providing food, preventing evictions and averting utility shut-offs, particularly where seniors, small children, veterans and the disabled may be displaced. About $153 million will be disbursed nationally under the program.
"While the federal government must do more to help residents get through this winter, this assistance from FEMA provides an added boost to the outstanding work being done by our local Salvation Army and United Way organizations," Delahunt added.
In each local region, FEMA designates a lead non-profit agency to field and redirect inquiries to the organization most able to offer the needed service. In Barnstable County, calls may be directed to Major Donna Hanson of the Salvation Army at (508) 775-0364. The contact for Plymouth County is Barry Young with the United Way of Greater Plymouth County at (508) 583-6306.
Further information is available online at www.efsp.unitedway.org -- or through the Congressman's local offices in Hyannis and Quincy.
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