El Paso Gets $387,000 In Emergency Food, Shelter Funds

U.S. Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez, D-Texas announced Tuesday that ten counties in the 23rd Congressional District will receive a combined $1.2 million in federal funding to help local response organizations meet the needs of the hungry and the homeless.

El Paso County will receive $387,505.

The Emergency Food and Shelter program is administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to “supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food, and supportive services” to the nation’s hungry, homeless and in need.

“Hunger and poverty do not discriminate between young and old, male and female, veteran and non-veteran, or different ethnicities,” said Congressman Rodriguez, who serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, in a news release. “Everyone suffers, and sometimes people just need a helping hand. During the harsh winter months, filling these needs becomes even more critical. This FEMA funding will allow local response organizations to continue providing food and shelter to the most vulnerable populations. This funding will make a huge difference to a family barely hanging on in this difficult economy, when resources are scarce,” said Congressman Rodriguez. “By giving them a little help, we allow that family to stay above water, get that job and continue to be part of the solution to our economic problems.”

For more information on the program, visit www.fema.gov/government/grant/efs.shtm