From United Way of Rock River Valley-

The grant was allocated through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for non-profit and governmental agencies to supplement programs that help hungry and homeless people. The program’s local agent, United Way of Rock River Valley, is administering funding and reporting of the EFSP grant. A local board, whose membership composition is mandated through federal guidelines, recommended distribution of the grant.

This year several programs in Winnebago County will benefit from the award. Funds available this year are more than the previous years and are based on the local unemployment census. Allocation of the grant is as follows:

Agency Program Award
Lifescape Community Services, Inc. Mobile Meals $55,000
St. Elizabeth Community Center Food Pantry $12,000
The Rock River Valley Pantry Food Pantry $30,000
The Salvation Army Food Pantry $12,000
Northern IL Food Bank Food Pantry $18,046
Old Stone Church Food Pantry $8,000
Catholic Charities Hotel Lodging $15,000
Catholic Charities Rent/Mortgage $15,000
City of Rockford Human Services Hotel Lodging $10,000
Remedies Mass Shelter $55,000
Rockford MELD Mass Shelter $30,000
Shelter Care Ministries Hotel Lodging $23,000
The Salvation Army Utilities $14,000
United Way of Rock River Valley Administration $6,063

Last year, the EFSP grant to Winnebago County totaled $302,219. Local agencies used the funds to provide 25,000 home delivered meals, food pantry items to 84,567 individuals, utility assistance for 52 individuals and 12,042 nights of emergency lodging.