Like many working families across Indiana and the nation, the Felkers had fallen on hard times in the turbulent economy and were struggling to provide necessities for their family. Jerry, Lesley, and their three young children Julia, Janice, and Jeremy are thankful for Indiana’s Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program that provided food in their time of need. Designed to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient, Indiana’s CSBG program receives roughly $9 million annually for services and activities that have a measurable and major impact on the cause of poverty and wealth creation.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), administers the grant for Indiana and received an additional $14.1 million in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Because of the projects created, 896 people were hired by the 13 agencies on a full- or part-time basis to provide the added services and 179 jobs were retained. Over 1,600 jobs were created in Indiana, and about 330 jobs were retained.
The program provides a broad, sweeping grant intended to support all social programs offered by Community Action Agencies (CAA). The CAA that serves four counties in Northwest Indiana utilized CSBG funds for a mobile food program. In addition to serving over 50,000 meals throughout the year, the program also created 12 jobs in the community. The design of the food assistance program allowed individuals and families to pick up packaged food for the week and prepare meals at their home as a family.
On one pickup day the older Felker children jumped at the chance to gather the food boxes reserved for their family and carry them to the car. The Felkers and other program participants are thankful for this program, saying it helps them to concentrate on other aspects of their lives without worrying about where their next meal is coming from.
To learn more about Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, please visit their website.
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