Washington, D.C. -  Rep. Timothy V. Johnson announced today more than a half-million dollars in emergency food and shelter grants that will be distributed throughout the 15th Congressional District.

"These monies are for the neediest among us and can be used for aid ranging from food to utilities at the discretion of the responsible local distributing agencies,” Rep. Johnson said. "We know there are many needs out there, especially this year. This won't begin to solve them all, but it is at least a help."

The following counties are receiving funds:

• Champaign County, $140,147.
• Clark County, $16,311.
• Coles County, $40,284.
• Crawford County, $16,007.
• Cumberland County, $9,761.
• Edgar County, $17,499.
• Iroquois County, $27,741.
• Lawrence County, $14,060.
• McLean County, $109,043.
• Macon County, $93,667.
• Saline County, $25,769.
• Vermilion County, $72,324.
• Wabash County, $11,127.
• White County, $12,897.

The grants will fund assistance to support social service agencies in cities and  counties across the country to help feed and shelter the nation’s hungry and homeless.  Emergency Food and Shelter funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies.

The EFS Program has been in existence since 1983 and was authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.  With the FY 2008 allocation, more than $3.105 billion in federal aid will have been disbursed through the EFS Program since its inception to communities nationwide, and has accounted for millions of additional meals and nights of shelter to the hungry and homeless most in need across the nation.

The monies are distributed by the designated EFS board in counties and cities, usually the American Red Cross, United Way of America or Salvation Army.

Additional jurisdictions in the 15th District may be selected at a later date by the EFS State Set-Aside Committee.

The EFS National Board is chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and composed of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; United Jewish Communities; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.; The Salvation Army; and United Way of America. The money provides supplemental funding to shelters, soup kitchens, and food banks. One-month awards for rent, mortgage, and utility assistance are also available. The funds are used to help individuals and families with non-disaster, temporary emergency needs.

In each funded jurisdiction, a Local Board advertises the availability of the funds, establishes local priorities, selects local non-profit and government agencies to receive supplemental funding, and monitors program compliance.  The Local Board’s composition mirrors the EFS Program National Board, with a local government official replacing FEMA and board members voting to select their chair.

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