Action Center Update: Emergency Food & Shelter

Take Action: Emergency Food and Shelter Program for the hungry and homeless needs your help

The Federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) provides critical support to local communities in order to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide food, shelter and supportive services for the nation's hungry, homeless, and people in economic crisis.

Earlier this year, Congress reduced the FY2011 EFSP allocation to $120 million, which is 40% less ($80 million) than FY2010. With this cut, the EFSP National Board, led by The Jewish Federations of North America, had to direct the limited EFSP funding to the counties and cities most impacted by high unemployment and poverty rates.

For those in qualifying jurisdictions, (of which the number is reduced from 2,000 to 1,500) the local board will determine specific allocations for local nonprofits seeking supplemental funding to provide essential resources to their clients. This funding goes to individuals and families on the verge of homelessness and/or hunger and provides assistance for rent or mortgage, food, shelter and utility payments. Those in non-qualifying jurisdictions are not eligible for direct funding, but can receive funding through their State Set-Aside (SSA) Committees. SSA receives 8% of the annual EFSP allocation, with a minimum of $250,000 to be dispersed to an additional 500 jurisdictions.

The Administration and Congress have made cuts to the EFSP program that runs counter to the needs of the community. Please join us in urging Congress to return funding levels to $200 million in FY2012.

Please take a moment to alert your Senators and Representative to the persistent demands for food and shelter assistance placed on our community food and shelter programs.

Provocative and confrontational flotilla stopped with the help of Greek government

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators were scheduled to arrive at Ben-Gurion International Airport last week to replace the scheduled flotilla from Greece. Airport officials were able to avoid any major conflict by preventing some 200 foreign born activists from entering the State due to Israel's "No-Fly-list" memo. Also, two arriving flights containing 25 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were diverted and those individuals were sent back to their countries of origin.

This occurred in the wake of the bold decision made by the Greek government to prohibit the departure of the flotilla -- the Audacity of Hope -- to Gaza. Israel was willing to transport all genuine humanitarian aid to Gaza, but flotilla organizers refused their offer. Stopping the flotillas prevented what could have been a major international issue, and avoided further confrontation with Israel.

Take a moment to thank the Greek government for their role in stopping the most recent flotilla and being an instrumental partner in preventing unnecessary confrontation.

Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle in partnership with the Israel Action Network will continue to monitor developments in the region and alert you to ways you can get involved.

Agency Spotlight: Caroline Kline Galland Home seeks Home Health License from Washington State

Since 1914 the Caroline Kline Galland Home has been serving Seattle's Jewish older adult population with exceptional care and services. Today, Kline Galland is more than just a skilled nursing facility in Seward Park. Kline Galland has expanded into assisted living with the Summit on First Hill, it entered the meals on wheels program with the only kosher service in the region and recently created the first Jewish hospice program in Washington State.

In the coming weeks, Kline Galland will embark on its next expansion. It will be seeking authorization from Washington to begin a home health program. What does a home health program mean? Simply put, it would allow Kline Galland to continue providing medical care to a patient in their own home after they have been released from the hospital or rehabilitation. These services are unlike home care services which emphasize personal needs (bathing, medication assistance, etc.) and homemaker services (meal preparation, laundry, companionship, etc.) which are currently provided by Jewish Family Service's Home Care Associates.

Once the certification process begins in the coming weeks, the Action Center will be your source for ways to help Kline Galland secure a home health license.