United Way announces an additional $14,778 will be distributed by the local Emergency Food and Shelter Board. These are federal dollars allocated to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County residents who are in need of emergency food and shelter.

The Salvation Army will receive the full $14,778 to assist individuals and families with rental and mortgage payments. The purpose of the funds is to prevent eviction from stable housing and eligible recipients of the funds must demonstrate that they are in arrears on their housing bills.

These additional funds bring the total allocation to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County for 2009 to $67,102. Distributions were made earlier in April and May 2009.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program was established in 1983 with the signing of the “Jobs Stimulus Bill” that created a national EFSB chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. United Way of America is the vehicle through which local communities access these dollars.

Since 1983 the national EFSB has distributed more than $3 billion to over 12,000 human service agencies in more than 2,500 communities. The funds are intended to focus on the needs of homeless individuals and those trying to maintain stable housing.