6-6-2002
Kitsap County emergency funds to increase

Kitsap residents who are facing crisis will have more resources available to them this year. Local organizations will receive a total of $127,516 in emergency funds through the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP) this year — an increase of 5.4 percent over last year. EFSP grant amounts are based on unemployment rates within the county, in accordance with the Stewart B. McKinley Homeless Assistance Act of 1987.

“This is great news for our community,” stated Barbara Stephenson, Executive Director of United Way of Kitsap County. United Way is the fiscal agent for the distribution of EFSP funds locally. As such, the United Way is allowed an administrative fee of $2,550; however, the charity elects to not take that fee and instead forwards 100 percent of the EFSP funds on to the recipient organizations. This year 62 percent will be used for rent/mortgage assistance; 23 percent for utility assistance; and 15 percent for food.

Revenue allocation is decided by representatives from the Kitsap County Commissioner’s Office, the Bremerton Ministerial Association, the Native American Community, The Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul Assistance Office, the Jewish Federation, the American Red Cross, Kitsap Community Resources, God’s Kitchen, United Way of Kitsap County and a formerly homeless individual.

The following local agencies will receive EFSP funds in 2002:
• Bainbridge Helpline House: $11,000
• Bremerton Foodline: $4,500
• Central Kitsap Food Bank: $3,600
• Chuckwagon: $2,300
• God’s Kitchen: $2,300
• Hearty Meals: $1,100
• Kitsap Community Resources: $51,760
• North Kitsap Fishline: $3,129
• Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe: $7,000
• Salvation Army: $9,327
• St. Gabriel Conference, Society of St. Vincent de Paul: $1,500
• St. Vincent de Paul, Bremerton: $15,000
• YWCA: $15,000

   “United Way of Kitsap County is pleased to help distribute the EFSP funds,” said Stephenson. “Because we absorb all of the administrative costs, many more people get the help they need. And that’s what United Way is all about.”.