Effingham County Awarded Money for Food and Shelter Programs

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Published on September 24 2018 2:02 pm
Last Updated on September 24 2018 2:11 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Effingham County has been chosen to receive $4,951.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists 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. The Local 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 is made up of representatives from local government, Salvation Army, United Way, Catholic Charities and a former homeless person who will determine how the funds awarded to Effingham 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 made available under this phase of the program.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Cindy Mayer 217-342-2193 ext. 121 no later than October 10.

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, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Effingham County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with the following organizations: Effingham County FISH Organization, C.E.F.S. Outreach, Catholic Charities and SWAN (Stopping Woman Abuse Now).

The re-organizational meeting for this year will be held at C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation at 1805 S. Banker St. Effingham, Illinois on Thursday, October 11 at 9:00 AM. For additional information, contact Cindy Mayer at 217-342-2193 ext. 121 prior to the time of the meeting.