Deadline for emergency food and shelter funds is January 22

Muskegon County has been chosen to receive $106,568, Newaygo County $25,307, and Oceana County will get $15,491 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs.

The selection was made by a National Board 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.

A local board in Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana County made up of representatives from local government, and 40 area organizations, will determine how the funds are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies. The local boards are responsible for recommending local recipient organizations to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.

Organizations chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary nonprofit organizations 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.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds will find an application at unitedwaylakeshore.org/efsp.

The deadline is Friday, Jan. 22. Questions may be directed to jana@unitedwaylakeshore.org or (231) 332-4004.