LICKING COUNTY EFSP HAS BEEN AWARDED FEDERAL FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS)/FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY UNDER THE EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER NATIONAL BOARD PROGRAM (EFSP).

Licking County has been chosen to receive $64,236 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 made up of representatives of government, social service agencies and advocates of the homeless population will determine how the funds are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in Licking County. 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 be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, be eligible to receive Federal funds, 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. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

EFSP specifically calls for “sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes and attention to the specialized needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illness and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits”. Special emphasis is to be placed on identification of and assistance to the elderly, families with children, Native Americans, and veterans in addition to the mentally and physically disabled.

Local Recipient Organizations will use EFSP supplemental funds for mass shelter, mass feeding, food distribution through food pantries and food banks, one-month utility payments to prevent service cut-offs, or one-month rent/mortgage assistance to prevent evictions or assist people leaving shelters to establish stable living conditions.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for EFSP funds can apply online at www.unitedwaylc.org/EFSP. For questions or concerns on the application process please contact Cory Stutes, Program & Operations Director, United Way of Licking County at cstutes@unitedwaylc.org  or by phone at (740) 345-6685 Ext. 206. The deadline for applications to be received is Friday, April 26, 2024, at 5:00 pm.