WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today announced the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide more than $3 million in Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding for organizations serving Westchester and Rockland Counties and the City of Yonkers to reduce hunger and poverty and promote economic self-sufficiency.

“The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program is critical to help communities reduce hunger and poverty and promote economic self-sufficiency,” said Lowey. “The flexibility of CSBG allows communities to undertake a wide range of activities that provide direct relief and help families and individuals meet their daily needs. The benefits of the CSBG program are clear, and I am pleased organizations serving Westchester and Rockland Counties and Yonkers will benefit from them.”

The following organizations will receive CSBG funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

· Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc.: $2,112,416

· Yonkers Community Action Program, Inc.: $714,457

· The Community Action Program of Rockland County, Inc.: $361,765

The Community Services Block Grant program provides a range of services to assist low-income people in attaining the skills, knowledge, and motivation for self-sufficiency. The program provides low-income people immediate life necessities like food, shelter, and health care. Services are also provided for the revitalization of low-income communities, the reduction of poverty and to improve provider agency results and partnerships.