The State Set-Aside has awarded Effingham County $16,760 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area.
The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Council of Jewish Federations, Catholic Charities, USA, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way of America which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The 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.
A local board made up of representatives from the above noted agencies and the Department of Family and Children Services, United Way-Effingham, Effingham Victim-Witness Assistance Program, Effingham County Board of Commissioners, Effingham Family Connection and Communities in School, Effingham clergy and local food pantries will determine how the funds awarded to Effingham are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organizations 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 governmental or private voluntary organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be non-profit, 2) have an accounting system, 3) practice nondiscrimination, 4) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 5) if they are a private voluntary organization, they must have a voluntary board. Qualifying organizations are urged to apply.
Effingham has distributed emergency food and shelter funds previously with several local agencies participating, including Effingham Victim-Witness Assistance Program, Effingham Department of Family and Children Services, Our Daily Bread, Concerted Services, Inc., and God’s Mission House. Statistics regarding number of meals served, emergency utility assistance, and nights lodging provided under Phase 26 may be obtained by contacting Bonnie Dixon at the United Way at 826-5300.
Applications for funding request may be obtained from the United Way-Effingham Service Center, 711 Zitterour Rd., Rincon. For more information call Dixon at 826-5300.