Pine Island F.I.S.H. awarded grant designed to prevent homelessness
Pine Island F.I.S.H. has been awarded a grant through FEMA under its Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. Organizations that pay rent or utilities or provide food are eligible to apply. Richard Roane will oversee the grant.
“The funds are designed to prevent homelessness,” said F.I.S.H. President Dianne Higgins.
Other grant recipients of similar size are F.I.S.H. of Sanibel and the Caring Center of Cape Coral. Bigger local agencies such as the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc. receive a larger share.
This is the second year that the Pine Island F.I.S.H. has applied for this grant. The total award is about two thirds of what was received last year. Last year’s money went primarily to helping residents with utility payments. This year the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through the Beacon of Hope will help alleviate some of that need. Higgins said more of the grant money this year, once it is received, will be used for rent assistance.
“This is for short-term needs,” Higgins said. “It is meant only as a stop gap measure.”
Besides helping with rent and utilities, F.I.S.H. pays for doctor’s bill, medications, gasoline, and auto repairs for those in need. It also loans at no cost wheelchairs and other equipment. A Fould’s Foundation a couple years back helped replenish worn out equipment.
Higgins said that grant money is a very small percentage of the operating budget. F.I.S.H. is not a United Way agency.
“We are extremely thankful for the continuing support of the island businesses, churches, and individuals through their donations.”
The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program was created in 1983 to supplement the work of local social service organizations within the United States, both private and governmental, to help people in need of emergency assistance. This collaborative effort between the private and public sectors has disbursed more than $2.3 billion in Federal funds during its 21-year history.