Families are at Risk: Help Restore the Emergency Food & Shelter Program

For nearly half of Americans surveyed in the August 27, 2011 WSJ/NBC News poll, the lasting recession and painfully slow recovery has carried more of a personal impact in the past decade than the events of September 11, 2001 or the following wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Families have grown increasingly concerned about their personal finances.

And with good reason, unemployment remains high and with it has come the loss of health insurance, leaving families at risk of financial disaster in the case of illness or medical emergency. Along with this, foreclosures are in a holding pattern, leaving families unsure if they will have a house to call home next month. And, as poverty rates increase more people are cutting their personal budgets for items like food and electricity, even as these prices are on the rise.

The loss of a job can mean family disaster, as was the case with a young couple, Karen and Matt and their new baby. Like so many young families, they were just getting by until Matt lost his job. The job loss hit them hard and they quickly went through their savings and could no longer pay their rent. Karen and Matt were afraid of being on the streets.

Fortunately, they connected with a program funded by United Way of the Columbia-Willamette's Community Relief Fund which assisted them by paying for two months of rent. The program also helped them get unemployment insurance and food stamps and worked with them to set a budget. The family is now up to date on their rent and managing their income. Thanks to United Way donors they are now standing on their own.

Families like Karen and Matt’s are served by projects funded through the Community Relief Fund and other resources are also available in the Portland area. One crucial resource is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), a federal program that provides emergency funds to families at risk. This year, at a time when the need is greatest, EFSP funding for the Portland region was eliminated.

You Can Help!

Without restoration of Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds more families will be at risk. That is why we urge you to act today by contacting your congressperson and ask them to restore funding for this vital program. Together we can make a difference for families in our region.

In addition, you can help us reach many more families and individuals by donating to the Community Relief Fund. Consider making a donation today.