Programs for needy feast on stimulus funds
Monday, April 13th, 2009
By: Elizabeth Fiedler
efiedler@whyy.org
3.7 million dollars in stimulus funds will be used for Emergency Food and Shelter Programs in Pennsylvania. The Department of Homeland Security has set aside the money which could be used for shelters, one month rent and mortage assistance to prevent evictions, and food distribution through food pantries.
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Carey Morgan is Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger.
Morgan: I think this money in particular is meant to provide a safety net approach. To catch people who maybe didn't find themselves in this situation last year but are finding themselves at the edge of poverty this year. To try and catch them and make sure they don't fall even deeper.
Morgan says 33 percent more people asked for help from food pantries in Philadelphia in the last 6 months of 2008 than they did the year before.
She says increased demand, rising food prices, and funding cuts are squeezing food pantries.