WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced federal funding for Sandy relief from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the New Jersey Department of Human Services. The $75,000 grant will help New Jersey replenish food supplies that were used during Superstorm Sandy to feed low-income, elderly New Jerseyans.

"This funding is anotherexampleofthe federal government stepping up to take care ofNew Jersey in the wake of Superstorm Sandy,"said Sen. Lautenberg, who was a lead author of the Sandy relief legislation. "Once Sandy struck, the State moved quickly to make sure the most vulnerable New Jerseyans didn't go hungry, and this federal funding will help ensure that if another disaster strikes, we'll be ready once again."

"New Jersey's seniors were among those who felt Superstorm Sandy's impact the most, and providing ready-to-eat meals to low-income seniors was an important part of our response during and after the storm,"said Sen. Menendez, who helped lead the New Jersey delegation's fight for federal Sandy relief."Now we must be prepared for future severe weather events, and this funding will help replenish our supply of food that can be delivered to low-income seniors at their homes and community centers where seniors gather. These are critical federal resources that we cannot afford to lose through an unresolved sequester, and I am committed to doing everything I can to make sure they remain available to New Jersey's individuals and families."

This grant provides $75,000 to the New Jersey Department of Human Services to provide county Area Agencies on Aging with funds to replenish the supply of shelf stable meals used during Superstorm Sandy.

In January, the President signedthe Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations billinto law, bringing the total Sandy aid enacted by Congress to $60.2 billion. The funding package included federal aid to help homeowners, businesses, and communities recover, and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and clean water infrastructure.

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