United Way of Greater Portland (UWGP) and the Cumberland County Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) received notice from the EFSP National Board that four Cumberland County agencies would receive $1,249,043 for services provided to migrants released from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody at the southern border from January 1, 2019 through January 31, 2020.
These funds were made available as part of the federal Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance (SAHA). Specifically, the following funds are awarded:
- $945,399 to City of Portland Family Shelter
- $263,760 to Preble Street Soup Kitchen
- $25,520 to Wayside Food Programs
- $14,364 to Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program, Inc.
“As the Cumberland County convening organization for EFSP, we’re responsible for administering the process and ensuring thoroughly vetted applications are submitted for funds,” said Liz Cotter Schlax, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Portland. “We’re inspired by the work of these agencies to provide critical services to our neighbors and grateful for the decision by the National Board.”
About National and Local Boards for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)
At the federal level, distribution decisions are made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, Council of Jewish Federations, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, The Salvation Army, and United Way Worldwide.
United Way of Greater Portland functions as the convening organization for Cumberland County and provides the administrative support for EFSP’s fund distribution through a Local Board for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), which is responsible for making annual disbursement decisions among local emergency food and shelter programs that apply for funds.
