Local board to distribute food funds
Jefferson County, Ark., has been chosen by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program to receive $31,706.
Funds will be received under Phase 40. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply for these Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds at the United Way of Southeast Arkansas.
Applications will be accepted Feb. 20 through March 3, according to a news release.
A Phase 40 Local Board is charged with distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas. The efforts are aimed at supplementing emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
The local board will also recommend agencies to receive funds, as well as any additional program funds, according to the release.
“We are proud to be selected by the national board of collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to serve as the stewards of these funds,” said Leslie Dorn, executive director of United Way of Southeast Arkansas.
“Other partners consist of representatives from American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; and United Way Worldwide.”
Under the terms of the grant agreement, local agencies must: Be private voluntary nonprofit(s) or units of government; be eligible to receive federal funding; have an accounting system; practice nondiscrimination; have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.
Jefferson County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with the Salvation Army, CASA Women’s Shelter, Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas, Neighbor to Neighbor, and Delta Food Network.
Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds need to contact: Leslie Dorn at (870) 534-2153 or email Leslie.dorn@unitedway.org for an application. The deadline is March 3.