$348K available for emergency food, shelter programs
Qualifying local emergency food and shelter programs (EFSP) will now have an opportunity to apply for funds after Yuma County was selected to receive $348,109 in state set-aside dollars to supplement these programs.
Karina Jones, CEO of United Way of Yuma and local EFSP contact, said Yuma was awarded the federal funds through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
According to Jones, FEMA selects areas to receive funds based on poverty levels.
“I am just excited that we have them available,” Jones said. “It’s unfortunate that we were selected based on poverty level, but it’s awesome that we are getting $400,000 to supplement the food and shelter program here. So I encourage anybody that can fit under these categories to apply.”
Jones said a local board made up of community volunteers will determine how the funds will be distributed among local agencies that run emergency food and shelter programs. It is the responsibility of this 13-member board to recommend agencies to receive these funds and any additional monies made available under this phase of the program.
Agencies will be chosen and/or allocated funds based on various factors.
“It depends on how many apply, and it’s a volunteer panel that makes those decisions,” Jones stated. “There are certain volunteers that FEMA requires to be on the panel or certain people to be on the panel.”
She explained that the board must be composed of people with a variety of backgrounds and beliefs.
The United Way of Yuma County stipulates in its press release that under national board terms, local governmental or private organizations chosen to receive funds must:
• Be private voluntary nonprofits or units of governments
• Be eligible to receive federal funds • Have an accounting system • Practice nondiscrimination • Have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs
• If they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.
In the past, the local Yuma board has distributed EFSP funds to Catholic Community Services, The Salvation Army, United Way of Yuma County, Yuma Community Food Bank, WACOG, Church for the City and Crossroads Mission.
The news release said that these agencies were responsible for providing over 150,000 meals, 7,500 nights of lodging and helped over 180 individuals with utility assistance.
Any public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for EFSP funds must contact Jones at karina.jones@local.unitedway.org or 928-783-0515.
Applications must be received by Thursday, July 6, at noon at the United Way of Yuma County, 180 W. 1st St., Suite B.
“Because it’s the federal government and it comes from Congress — that’s why there is such a quick turnaround as far as when the applications need to be due and sent into the national organization,” Jones stressed. “As soon as we get word that there is money, we just put it right out there and we encourage everybody to apply as soon as possible.”