INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — United Way of Indian River County has been notified that Indian River County will receive federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP).
These Federal funds are awarded through the Department of Homeland Security. The Phase 33 award of $17,425 will be used to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. This year’s award is one of the lowest amounts ever received because Indian River County did not qualify for a “direct allocation” in this phase. Criteria used for a direct allocation include the county’s rates of unemployment and poverty.
Local Board Chairman Michael Kint noted that “Last year’s Phase 32 award provided almost $20,000 in rental assistance and utility assistance funds to 122 individuals.”
“The next step in the process for receiving the Phase 33 monies is for the Local Board to solicit requests from local organizations for funding,” said Kint. Under the terms of this grant, organizations chosen to receive EFSP funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) use funds to supplement and extend existing services and programs, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice non-discrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a volunteer board and 7) comply with all EFSP regulations.
Qualifying organizations interested in applying for funds should submit their funding requests to Michael Kint at michael.kint@unitedwayirc.org. Funding requests are due by 12 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2016.
The decision to provide funds to Indian River County was made by a National Board chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The National Board consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities, U.S.A., National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. This National Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
The Local EFSP Board made up of representatives from government, religious and human service agencies will be convened to determine how the funds will be awarded among the local emergency food and shelter programs. For additional information, contact Michael Kint at michael.kint@unitedwayirc.org or call (772) 567-8900 ext. 115.
United Way does the critical but largely invisible work required to reach community goals – we recruit people to the cause, get commitments for action, and pull together the expertise and resources that get it done. For more information about United Way or to give online, visit our website at UnitedWayIRC.org. United Way of Indian River County invites people to get involved by helping others. Go to VolunteerIndianRiverCounty.org to learn about local opportunities for service.