The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) allocates major federal funding to area agencies that provide emergency assistance to those who cannot pay their rent, mortgage or utilities or have no resource to provide food for their families.  I serve as Chairperson of the Seminole County EFSP Board.  Each meeting in the past year has seen demand on agencies like Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and Christian Service Center grow beyond belief.  Requests for assistance are triple and quadruple the numbers of two years ago.  At our meeting on October 6, two of the largest agencies in Central Florida said, "We are at capacity.  We cannot do any more than we are already doing." 

There is a double whammy - just as the needs are increasing, contributions are falling off.   This economic crisis is hitting many people who have never needed assistance before and is devastating for those who were already struggling.

What can your church do?  Look below to find several ministries that are providing services and need your help to do more.  All of these groups need volunteers as well as donations.

Grace and peace, 
Marilyn