Emergency Food and Shelter Program

UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES DISTRIBUTION OF EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER FUNDS

Sanilac County has been awarded federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (FEMA). They have been chosen to receive $45,470 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs within the county. The source of this funding is a federal appropriation from Congress to the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. The National Board selects jurisdictions for funding not specific agencies. The federal department responsible for this program is the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These are not state/county government of United Way funds.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A; The Salvation Army; United Jewish Communities, and United Way of America. The Local Board is charged to distribute foods appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the county.

A Local Board made up of community members and the Sanilac County United Way will determine how the funds awarded to Sanilac County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government; 2) be eligible to receive federal funds; 3) have an accounting system; 4) practice nondiscrimination; 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds may obtain an application by calling Marie Thieleman at (810) 434-4725 or Tammy Williford at (810) 404-8633. They can also email the United Way at uwsc@unitedwaysanilac. The deadline for applications to be received is May 28, 2020.