Emergency Food and Shelter Funds are Available in Effingham County

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, United Jewish Communities, Catholic Charities, 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, chaired by Carrie Crippen, with Catholic Charities and other representatives in the Effingham community, will determine how the funds 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 organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary nonprofits or units of government, 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 County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with the following organizations:  Effingham County FISH, CEFS Outreach Program, Catholic Charities and SWAN (Stopping Woman Abuse Now).

Public or private voluntary organizations interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program Funds must contact Carrie Crippen, Catholic Charities, in writing at PO Box 1017, Effingham, IL  62401 no later than April 13.