United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) has initiated its Emergency Assistance and Community Needs (EACN) Fund following a pause in federal funding for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) in Clark County. Since 2020, EFSP has provided over $8.5 million in aid to more than 680,000 individuals in Southern Nevada. This year alone, it was expected to assist over 100,000 people.
The Office of Management and Budget's new guidance has led to a hold on the release of more than $1.2 million in EFSP aid, suspending local applications. This funding supports essential services such as food access, rent, utility assistance, and shelter. The suspension is anticipated to affect thousands who depend on these services.
Samuel Rudd, President and CEO of United Way of Southern Nevada, stated: “Meeting our community’s needs requires both public and private funding. The pause in federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds is leaving many nonprofits without reimbursement, forcing them to halt future assistance. Some may not realize how deeply this affects our community, but it could trigger a chain of challenges we can’t yet fully quantify.”
To address the shortfall, UWSN is deploying its EACN Fund—a flexible resource aimed at providing relief to those in crisis while supporting nonprofit partners across the region.
Community support is deemed crucial at this juncture. UWSN urges individuals, businesses, and organizations to contribute to the EACN Fund to maintain these vital services without interruption. Each donation aids families in need and bolsters the network of nonprofits serving Southern Nevada.
UWSN continues liaising with local partners and federal agencies for updates on EFSP developments.
For more information or to donate to the EACN Fund, visit uwsn.org/emergency-fund.