Federal Funds for Emergency Food, Shelter to be Distributed Through UWSC

United Way of Summit County will oversee distribution of federal monies designated for our region. Summit County will be awarded $436,094 for calendar year 2009 under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The funds are to be used by eligible local service agencies to supplement and expand the capacity of emergency food and shelter programs in Summit County. Funds are not to be used for creating new programs. A National Board made up of representatives from national organizations and chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated the grant.

The Summit County Emergency Food and Shelter Local Board, consisting of representatives from voluntary, governmental, and faith-based sectors will determine how to allocate the Summit County award among local eligible emergency food and shelter programs.

Under terms of the grant, local organizations receiving funds must (1) be private voluntary nonprofit or units of government; (2) have an accounting system and conduct an annual audit by an independent accountant depending on the award amount; (3) practice non-discrimination; (4) operate an ongoing program that has demonstrated capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and (5) have a voluntary board, if a private, voluntary organization. The Summit County local board has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter Funds previously to 29 participating agencies, which provided more than 172,332 meals, 3,061 nights of shelter, paid 266 utility bills and provided 387 units of rent/mortgage assistance.

Eligible organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact the United Way of Summit County, Community Impact Division, at 330-643-5509. The application deadline is 12:00 noon, February 13, 2009.

United Way of Summit County encourages everyone to LIVE UNITED. Each of us has the power to improve lives and advance the common good when we give, advocate and volunteer. For more information on how to give now, on programs and services in our community, or to volunteer, call your United Way of Summit County at (330) 762-7601, visit our website at http://www.uwsummit.org/, or come to our offices at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.