FEDERAL FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY FOOD, SHELTER MAY BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH UNITED WAY

United Way of Summit County will oversee distribution of federal monies that may be designated for our region. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials have instructed United Way to seek grant requests from eligible agencies in Summit County.

Unlike previous years, FEMA’s fiscal year 2011 appropriation, which is included in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) appropriations bill, has not been enacted. Although the National Board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) does not know when or if a fiscal year 2011 budget will be enacted, both the House of Representatives and the Senate versions of the draft DHS appropriations bill have some level of funding for the EFSP. So, the National Board is working to ensure they are ready to issue grants when and if funding becomes available for the program.

The funds would be used by eligible local service agencies to supplement and expand the capacity of existing emergency food and shelter programs in Summit County. Funds are not to be used for creating new programs. The Summit County Emergency Food and Shelter Local Board, consisting of representatives from voluntary, governmental, and religious sectors will determine how to allocate the funds that might be awarded to Summit County.

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 172,000 meals, 3,100 nights of shelter, paid 270 utility bills and provided 390 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 4:00 p.m. March 21, 2011.

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 www.uwsummit.org, or come to our office at 90 N. Prospect St., Akron, Ohio.