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As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment ACT additional funding has been allocated for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program and the Valley is is receiving an additional $44,909 in funding in addition to the $96,446 previously announced (See below). The funding will be put to immediate use by a number of service providers in the Valley area as outlined in the table below.
| Other Food | Mass Shelter | Utilities | Served Meals | Supplies | Rent & Mortgage | Total | |
| ACT | 2,400.00 | 16,700.00 | 0 | 2,400.00 | 0 | 0 | 21,500.00 |
| Red Cross | 1,500.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,500.00 |
| Salvation Army | 1,000.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,000.00 |
| TEAM, Inc. | 0 | 0 | 709 | 0 | 0 | 11,500.00 | 12,209.00 |
| Umbrella | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5,700.00 | 3,000.00 | 0 | 8,700.00 |
| 4,900.00 | 16,700.00 | 709.00 | 8,100.00 | 3,000.00 | 11,500.00 | 44,909.00 |
This brings the total Valley FEMA funding this year to $141,355. Last year's figure was $42,413.
The Valley will be receiving a record $96,446 as part of the 2008-2009 Emergency Food and Shelter Program thanks to recent regional awards. The funds are earmarked for emergency food, shelter, and utility costs and will be administered by Area Congregations Together, American Red Cross, the Birmingham Group, Salvation Army and TEAM, Inc.
Valley United Way serves as the local coordinator and represents the Valley at Regional meetings in Bridgeport and New Haven. Valley United Way President & C.O.O. Jack Walsh noted that the increased revenues coming to the Valley are really are a combination of good news and bad news. He said, "The good news is that agencies that meet these pressing needs will have more money to meet those needs in the Valley while the bad news is that there is greater need now than ever under this program". The amount of money that any community receives is based upon a formula that depends on the unemployment levels in a community. The biggest increase in funding came from New Haven County distribution and reflects higher unemployment increases than in the Fairfield County (Shelton) part of the Valley
Walsh lauded the local agencies who provide services in the Valley area. He noted they they come together annually to review the needs in the community and decide on the best way to meet the needs with the dollars available. As in the past, most of the money is dedicated to shelter and food with a very limited amount available for utility assistance.
Following the deliberations of the local group and the regional committees in Bridgeport and New Haven, the following awards were made:
| Agency | Total | Other Food | Mass Shelter | Utilities | Served Meals |
| Area Congregations Together | 63,529 | 6,353 | 50,823 | 6,353 | |
| American Red Cross | 3,492 | 3,492 | |||
| Birmingham Group | 18,990 | 15,990 | 3,000 | ||
| Salvation Army | 4,155 | 4,155 | |||
| TEAM, Inc. | 6,280 | 6,280 | |||
| $96,446 | $14,000 | $66,813 | $6,280 | $9,353 |
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