HARTFORD, Conn. -- Christmas came early for many groups in Hartford who spend their own time helping others.

U.S. Rep. John Larson announced $10 million in funding heading to Hartford from Washington.

Also in attendance for the announcement were leaders from 17 Hartford organizations that will each get some help from this funding.

Larson said, "It's nice to know that the federal government has been able to step up and fill the gaps that have been created in these very difficult economic times."

One of the organizations receiving money is the St. Elizabeth House in Hartford.

Executive Director of the Mercy Housing Corporation Sister Patricia McKeon said, "We've been raising this money over three years and I think we have probably another year to go to get where we need to be, but this $500,000 will give us the opportunity to actually begin to do some of the work."

The money there will help to pay for renovations. Officials there feed 400 meals a day and have residential apartments to help 58 people transition away from homelessness.

The work is scheduled to begin on the 200-year-old building in April.

While some are criticizing congressional earmarks, most agree that without them, clients could suffer.

McKeon said, "Our folks, the homeless folks, don't live very high off the hog, so it's really nice to get a prime cut, around Christmas time. This is really a good thing."

The rest of the money will go to help benefit other programs in Hartford like a police truancy program and a new cancer center at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center.