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Kentucky will receive $4.8 million from FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program to assist nonprofits that are helping residents who are experiencing hunger and homelessness.

The money allocated to Kentucky combines the EFSP’s annual funding with funds designated for food and shelter support under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

Kentucky jurisdictions will receive $1,757,389 for fiscal year 2019 and $3,132,642 from the CARES Act.

A local EFSP board is responsible for awarding the grant funds to local social service organizations, both nonprofit and governmental, that can best address the identified needs of the community.

The funding in Clark County will increase over last year’s allotment. The funding for Clark County in 2019 was $14,628. In 2020, the county will receive $20,856.

“This funding supports local organizations helping Kentucky’s hungry and homeless during the coronavirus pandemic and other disasters,” FEMA Regional Administrator Gracia Szczech said. “It can supplement programs offering meals, groceries or food boxes, residential shelters, rent payments or utilities.

With the fiscal year 2019 and CARES Act funding, and the FY 2020 funding of $125 million that will be allocated to jurisdictions later this year, the total aid disbursed in the EFSP’s 38-year history will be more than $5 billion.