United Way of Long Island has been allocated nearly $530,000 in funding under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). This federal funding is allocated and then distributed through a local board of agencies and stakeholders, which is convened by the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island specifically to supplement current emergency feeding, sheltering and rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
A recent financial hardship report released by United Way reveals that 31.5% of Long Island residents (more than 1 out of 3 households) lack sufficient income and savings to pay for housing, food, transportation, technology, childcare, and healthcare. The data exposes how many working or ALICE (Asset, Limited, Income, Constrained, Employed) households are struggling, especially due to the pandemic, and how it is having such a devastating impact on the economy.
Theresa A. Regnante said, “Many ALICE households continue to face challenges from low wages, reduced work hours, depleted savings, and the increasing cost of living. These conditions are devastating to the quality of life for so many families on Long Island.” She added, “By providing the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, it helps ease their tight monthly budgets and allows them to purchase other critical necessities such as medication.”
Rebecca Sanin, President and CEO of the Health and Welfare Council said, “The health and wellness of our community is crucial. We have a longstanding reliable partnership with United Way, and we are confident that our collective efforts in EFSP will ensure that we are helping to ease the day-to-day burdens of as many families as possible.”
United Way will direct the funding towards its nonprofit community partners; this includes Nassau County partners: ABBA Leadership Center, Leadership Training Institute; EAC Network; Choice for All; the INN Transformation Center); Family and Children Services; YouthBuild in Long Beach; and Catholic Charities (Nassau); Suffolk County partners: Pronto: OLA of Eastern Long Island; United Veterans Beacon House; Housing Help; Branches of Long Island; EOC Suffolk; Catholic Charities (Suffolk); Pal-O-Mine; and Bridgehampton Youth and Childcare Center.
If you or someone you know if seeking help, please contact 2-1-1 or visit www.211li.org or www.unitedwayli.org
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