United Way of Southeast Missouri paves a way for the displaced to stay warm

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The United Way of Southeast Missouri continues its efforts to help those in the community who need it most during these bitter cold nights.

Executive Director Elizabeth Shelton says a handful of displaced people can receive warm hotel room on cold nights from money the United Way gave the Community Partnership program in Cape Girardeau.

“So, they now have some funds for overnight sheltering during extreme weather,” said Shelton.

The United Way oversees funds for a federal program called The Emergency Food and Shelter Program also known as EFSP.

The EFSP is comprised of board members from many organizations from the community to determine where the distributions will go when the government releases them.

“The local EFSP board decided to reserve some of these funds for extreme weather conditions,” said Shelton.

The last cold snap in late December of 2022 made for a difficult time for approximately twenty or more persons seeking shelter.

“There were more than 20 people who needed shelter that time, and it’s possible that the word wasn’t out, you know? We were scrambling to find that money. And it’s possible that people didn’t think they could get a hotel room, and we just didn’t hear from as many as before,” said Shelton.

From housing, education and transportation, the United Way seeks to help all who need assistance.