Federal Dollars To Help With Food, Shelter

Students helping to set up at a local food truck

Newaygo County awarded federal funds through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter(EFSP) National Board Program.

Newaygo County has been chosen to receive $20,278 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.

The purpose of the EFSP is to supplement and expand the ongoing work of local social service organizations, both non-profit and governmental, to provide shelter, food and supportive services to individuals and families who have economic emergencies. Accordingly, EFSP funding is open to all organizations helping hungry and homeless people, as well as organizations that support those at risk of becoming hungry or homeless due to economic hardships.

A Local Board made up of community volunteers and representatives of local health and human services agencies will determine how the funds awarded to Newaygo 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.

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.

Newaygo County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously to TrueNorth Community Services and Women’s Information Services (WISE). The agencies used Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds in 2017 to provide food assistance to low-income households and emergency shelter residents. Funds from the current allocation must be spent on eligible costs for food banks/pantries, mass shelters, emergency lodging, rent/mortgage assistance, or utility assistance by January 31, 2019.
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Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Mark Petz, Newaygo County Community Collaborative Coordinator at:
​ [email protected] or 231-924-5350 for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is September 7, 2018.