The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) was created in 1983 to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, in an effort to help people with economic emergencies. For 2020, Garland County has been awarded $78,217.
A Local Board made up of representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, City of Hot Springs, Garland County, Jewish Foundations, Protestant Churches, Salvation Army, and United Way determines how funds awarded to Garland County are to be distributed. The Local Board is convened to select Local Recipient Organizations (LROs) that will provide emergency food and shelter services.
EFSP funds must be used to supplement feeding, sheltering (including transitional sheltering), and rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts only. Under the terms of the grant, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:
1. Be private voluntary non -profits or units of government
2. Be eligible to receive federal funds
3. Have an accounting system
4. Practice nondiscrimination
5. Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs
6. If they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board
Qualifying agencies are urged to apply each year upon notice of the award. Previously, EFSP funds have been distributed with American Red Cross, the Community Service Organization (CSO) Jackson House, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Ouachita Children's Center and Salvation Army.
In 2017, EFSP provided rent and utility assistance for 67 families and 1,058 nights of lodging to individuals and families.
In 2018, EFSP provided rent and/or utlitity assistance for 103 individuals and/or families
In 2019, EFSP provided rent and/or utility assistance for 126 individuals and/or families.
The LROs chosen in 2020 for Garland County are:
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Encounter Church - Served Meals
501.520.1818 -
Jackson House - Served Meals
501.623.4048 -
Ouachita Children's Youth and Family Services - Mass Shelter
501.623.5591 -
Salvation Army - Rent & Utility Assistance
501.623.1628
The LROs chosen in 2020 for Hot Spring County are:
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First Presbyterian Church - Utilities
501.337.7233 -
Hot Spring County Homeless Coalition - Motel Voucher
501.860.8017 -
Ouachita Behavior Health & Wellness - Rent Assistance
501.624.7111 -
Ouachita Children, Youth, & Family Services - Mass Shelter
501.623.5591 -
Ouachita River Fellowship - Food Assistance
501.467.5522
The LRO chosen in 2020 for Polk County is:
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Faith Missionary Baptist Church - Food, Mass Shelter, Rent &/or Mortgage Assistance, and Utility Assistance
479.394.5294